Machining system

ABSTRACT

A machining system with a configuration in which working machines, including a machine tool, are configured to be disposed in a line, and in which multiple working machines perform operations on one work in order, is provided. The machining system includes: a base; and multiple working machine modules which are mounted on the base and are arranged in an arrangement direction, and has a configuration in which each of the multiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out from the base along a track extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the arrangement direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a machining system in which multipleworking machines including a machine tool are disposed.

BACKGROUND ART

As a machining system having a configuration in which working machinesincluding a machine tool, such as a lathe, are disposed in a line andmultiple working machines perform operations on one work in order, asystem disclosed in the following PTL has been considered. In thesystem, multiple machine tools housed in one machine body are eachmounted on one base in a line, and each machine body can be drawn outfrom each base. Therefore, the system is highly convenient in terms ofmaintenance, replacement, and so on, of the machine body.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 4789103

SUMMARY Problem to be Solved

It is possible to enhance practicality of the system by modifying amachining system described above in which multiple working machinesincluding a machine tool are disposed. From such a viewpoint, an objectof the present disclosure is to provide a machining system with highpracticality.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to solve the above problem, a machining system of the presentdisclosure includes: a base; and multiple working machine modules whichare mounted on the base and are arranged in an arrangement direction,wherein the multiple working machine modules include one or more machinetool modules in which a machine tool is modularized, and each of themultiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out from thebase along a track extending in an intersecting direction thatintersects with the arrangement direction.

Effects

According to a machining system of the present disclosure, since theplurality of modules are arranged to be drawn out, it is possible toeasily perform maintenance of the modules. In addition, according to amachining system of the present disclosure, since the multiple modulesare arranged on one base, it is possible to decrease the number of basesprovided in the system.

Aspects

Hereinafter, some aspects of the disclosure will be described. Theseaspects are non-limiting examples of the present disclosure.

The following articles describe various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

<<Basic Aspects>>

(1) A machining system that includes: a base; and multiple workingmachine modules which are mounted on the base and are arranged in anarrangement direction. The multiple working machine modules include oneor more machine tool modules in which a machine tool is modularized andeach of the multiple working machine modules is capable of being drawnout from the base along a track extending in an intersecting directionthat intersects with the arrangement direction.

According to the system of the present aspect, since the multiplemodules are arranged to be drawn out, it is possible to easily performmaintenance of the modules. To be more specific, by drawing out a moduleon which maintenance is to be performed, the maintenance can beperformed without adjacent modules interfering. In addition, accordingto the system of the present aspect, since the multiple modules arearranged on one base, it is possible to reduce the number of the baseswhich are provided in the system.

According to the system of the present aspect, the “working machinemodule” is one in which various types of working machine modules aremodularized and the machine tool module is a type of the working machinemodule. For example, examples of the “working machine” include a rangefrom a machine tool to a machine which performs various types ofoperations associated with the machining process. Examples of theworking machine include an inspection machine which measures a result ofthe machining process, or the like, and a pre-processing machine whichperforms pre-processing before the machining process, or the like, andbroadly include a supply machine which supplies the work (workpiece) tothe module, an unloader or a storage machine which receives the work, onwhich an operation is completed, and unloads or stores the work from themodule. Note that, examples of the “machine tool” include a lathe, adrilling machine, a milling machine, a machining center, a grinder, apolishing machine, or the like.

According to the system of the present aspect, since the multiplemodules are arranged on one base, it is possible to reduce the number ofthe bases provided in the system. The base may be, as described below, asingle body which is not capable of being divided or separated, or maybe formed of several base units which are connected and fastened.

Further, the “arrangement direction” described above and the“intersecting direction” described above of the multiple modules are adirection parallel to the top surface of the base, to be more exact,desirably, a horizontal direction. In addition, when considering thatthe length (hereinafter, referred to as a “system length” in some cases)of the entire system in the arrangement direction can be short, that is,that the line length can be short in a case where the multiple modulesare arranged in a line, it is desirable that the arrangement directiondescribed above and the intersecting direction described above areorthogonal to each other. Further, in the following description, thedirection of drawing-out of the module is referred to as a “drawing-outdirection” in some cases. Note that, the drawing-out direction is adirection parallel to the intersecting direction.

(2) For the machining system according to article (1), the multipleworking machine modules are arranged on the base closely adjacent toeach other in the arrangement direction.

According to the present aspect, the length of the multiple arrangedmodules, that is, the length of the line in a case where the multiplemodules are arranged in a line, can be short. In other words, it ispossible to shorten the length of the system in the arrangementdirection. Thus, according to the present aspect, it is possible tobuild a machining system having a relatively short length. Further, inthe present section, “closely adjacent,” for example, means an extentthat an interval between adjacent modules does not exceed 10 cm. Interms of shortening the length of the system in the arrangementdirection to the greatest extent possible, it is desirable that theinterval between two modules is equal to or less than 5 cm, and furtherit is more desirable that, substantially, there is no interval betweentwo modules. According to the present aspect, it is possible tosufficiently benefit from an advantage described above of“simplification of the maintenance of the module.”

Further, in terms of shortening the length of the system in thearrangement direction, it is desirable to reduce the width (dimension inthe arrangement direction) of the module to the greatest extentpossible. Specifically, it is desirable that the modules are arrangedsuch that the width of the module is ⅓ or less, and further, ⅕ or lessof the length (dimension in the intersecting direction) of the module.

(3) For the machining system according to article (1) or article (2), ina case where one of the both directions opposite to each other in theintersecting direction is defined to be frontward and the otherdirection is defined to be rearward, each of the multiple workingmachine modules has, on the frontward side, an operating space in whichan operation is performed on the work.

According to the system of the present aspect, the operating spaces ofthe respective modules are arranged in parallel on the frontward side.In other words, the operating spaces of the plurality of modules arealigned on the frontward side. Accordingly, the system of the presentaspect has an advantage in that it is possible to easily performdelivery of the work (workpiece, to mean an operation target) betweenthe modules, and the system has various advantages such as an advantagein an operation management in that an operator performs check of theoperation by the respective modules on the frontward side. Further, inthe following description, for easy understanding of the description,unless there is a particular reason not to, the “intersecting direction”is sometimes referred to as the “front-rear direction,” andcorrespondingly, the “arrangement direction” is sometimes referred to asthe “right-left direction.”

(4) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (3), each of the multiple working machine modules is capable ofbeing drawn out in both directions opposite to each other in theintersecting direction.

According to the system of the present aspect, it is possible to drawout both frontward and rearward. Accordingly, since it is possible toselect a drawing-out direction depending on a position at whichmaintenance is performed, it is possible to more easily perform themaintenance.

<<Base Variations>>

(11) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (4), the base is formed as a single object.

In terms of the number of components which configure the system beingsmall and the system being easily to install, it is desirable that thebase is a single object. Note that, “single object” means an integralobject of which division or separation is substantially not possible.

(12) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (4), the base is configured to include multiple base units onwhich one or more modules of the multiple working machine modules aremounted, respectively.

The present aspect is advantageous in a case where the base isconsiderably large. In the present aspect, it is possible to consider anaspect in which the base is configured to have several modules. To bemore particular, it is possible to consider the present aspect as anaspect in which a set of one base unit and one or more working machinemodules is included. In other words, it is possible to consider thepresent aspect an aspect in which one base unit and one or more workingmachine modules configure a system module and the corresponding systemis configured of multiple system modules which are arranged. Further, interms of the number of the base units being relatively small, it isdesirable that two or more modules are mounted on one base unit. Notethat, it is desirable that the base unit is a single object, and theplurality of base units may be connected and fastened to each other toconfigure the base.

(13) For the machining system according to article (12), at least one ofthe multiple base units has a configuration in which two or more modulesof the multiple working machine modules are mounted thereon.

(14) For the machining system according to article (13), each of themultiple base units has a configuration in which two or more modules ofthe multiple working machine modules are mounted thereon.

The aspects according to the two articles above are advantageous interms of reducing the number of base units. Particularly, in the latteraspect, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of base units.

Note that, the system module in which two or more working machinemodules are mounted on one base unit can be considered by itself or asthe machining system with the basic aspects listed above and, for thelatter, it is possible to consider one machining system configured ofmultiple machining systems.

(15) For the machining system according to any one of article (12) toarticle (14), the multiple base units have substantially the samestructure.

It is possible to consider the present aspect as an aspect in which thebase unit is standardized. For example, the multiple base units havingthe same shape and dimensions are included in the present aspect.According to the present aspect, it is possible to easily correspond tochanges to the number and so on of the working machine modules to bearranged through changing the number of the base units, thus a flexiblesystem is realized.

<<Machine Tool Module Variations>>

(21) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (15), the one or more machine tool modules include one or morehorizontal spindle type modules which perform a process on the workusing a tool, wherein the horizontal spindle type module includes (a) aspindle that is arranged such that the shaft line thereof extends in theintersecting direction, and that rotates the work by rotation of thespindle itself, (b) a tool holding head that holds a tool, and (c) ahead moving device provided above the spindle that moves the toolholding head in the intersecting direction and in a vertical direction.

The “work” of the present article can be referred to as a so-calledworkpiece, or an operation target and, in terms of the machine toolmodule, means a target of a process performed by the module. Inaddition, the “tool” is different depending on the type of machine toolmodule and, examples of the tool include a bite, a drill, a mill, agrinding wheel, and a polisher. The “spindle” causes the work to rotateand can be referred to as a so-called main shaft. In machine toolshaving such a spindle, in general, a work holding tool such as a chuckis provided at the end of the spindle and a process is performed by thetool with work in a state of being held on the work holding tool.

Since the above machine tool module is disposed such that the spindleextends in the front-rear direction, the module is referred to as a“horizontal spindle type module” for convenience. The horizontal spindletype module can have a small dimension (hereinafter, referred to as a“width” or a “module width” in some cases) in the arrangement directiondescribed above, that is, in the right-left direction. The head movingdevice that causes the tool holding head to move is positioned above thespindle, which also contributes to reduction of the width of the module.Note that, to make the module width small to the greatest extentpossible and to maintain a good balance of the module in the arrangementdirection, it is desirable that the head moving device is provideddirectly above the shaft line (hereinafter referred to as a “spindleshaft line” in some cases) of the spindle.

(22) For the machining system according to article (21), the one or morehorizontal spindle type processing machine module includes a lathemodule that performs a cutting process on the work using a bite as atool while the work is rotated by the spindle.

The present aspect is an aspect related to a system which is configuredto include a lathe as a machine tool in the system. Since the lathemodule in the present aspect is a horizontal spindle type module, themodule width is narrow and the system of the present aspect configuredto include the lathe module has a relatively short system length.

(23) For the machining system according to any one of article (21) orarticle (22), the one or more horizontal spindle type processing machinemodule includes a tool holding head that has a tool rotating devicewhich rotates a tool around a shaft line of itself, and a drillingmachine/milling machine module that performs fixing of a work in a statein which the work is positioned at any given rotating position throughthe rotation of the spindle and performs at least one of drilling andmilling on the work by at least one of a drill and a mill as a tool.

The present aspect is an aspect related to a system configured toinclude a machine tool which functions as at least one of the lathe andthe drilling machine. For example, the drilling machine/milling machinemodule in the present aspect can be considered as a module in which thedrilling machine or the milling machine, which includes an index tablethat causes the work to rotate around the spindle shaft line, ismodularized. Since the drilling machine/milling machine module in thepresent aspect is the horizontal spindle type module described above,the module width is narrow and the system of the present aspect, whichis configured to include the drilling machine/milling machine, has arelatively short system length.

(24) For the machining system according to any one of article (21) toarticle (23), at least one of the one or more horizontal spindle typemodules has a configuration in which the tool holding head selects andholds one of multiple tools and one of the selected tools of themultiple tools performs processing.

In the horizontal spindle type module provided in the system of thepresent aspect, processes can be performed by multiple tools, andaccording to the system of the present aspect, it is possible to performrelatively complicated machining on one work using a relatively smallmodule. In a case where the horizontal spindle type module is a lathemodule, the module can be considered to be realized through modularizinga turret lathe or a comb-teeth lathe. In a case where the horizontalspindle type module is a drilling machine/milling machine module, themodule can be considered to have so-called machining centerfunctionality, that is, the same functionality as in a case where a toolchanger is provided.

<<Structure Related to Drawing-Out of Modules>>

(31) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (24), each of the multiple working machine modules has a pair ofwheels provided at an interval in the arrangement direction; the basehas multiple rail pairs configured of one pair of rails laid at aninterval in the arrangement direction and extending in the intersectingdirection; and each of the pair of wheels provided in each of themultiple working machine modules circles around on one of the pair ofrails of any one of the multiple rail pairs, such that each of theplurality of working machine modules is capable of being drawn out fromthe base along the track.

In the present aspect, the “rail” is a type of member (hereinafter,referred to as a “track defining member” in some cases) which definesthe track described above. According to the present aspect, the wheelsprovided on the module circle around on the rail, and thereby it ispossible to easily draw out the module using relatively small power.Further, in consideration of the stable drawing out of the module, it isdesirable that a pair of wheels are provided at a plurality of positionsof the module at an interval in the intersecting direction, that is, inthe drawing-out direction.

In the present aspect, since multiple modules can be mounted on thebase, multiple rail pairs are provided in the base. For example, thesystem of the present aspect may have a configuration in which, in acase where the module has a relatively narrow width, the pair of wheelsprovided in the module circles around on one of the multiple rail pairs,and, in contrast, in a case where the module has a relatively widewidth, one of the pair of wheels provided in the module circles aroundon a rail which configures one of the multiple rail pairs, and the otherof the pair of wheels circles around on a rail which configures anotherone of the multiple rail pairs.

(32) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (31), a module driving mechanism that drives each workingmachine module in the intersecting direction is provided for each of themultiple working machine modules.

According to the present aspect, it is possible to easily draw out themodule in the drawing-out direction using power of any drive source suchas an electric motor, without depending on human power. The system ofthe present aspect is suitable for a system in which relatively heavymodules are arranged on the base. Further, the drive source having amodule driving mechanism may be provided on the base or may be providedin the module. Note that, an aspect in which a module driving mechanismis provided for only at least one portion of the multiple workingmachine modules is not included in the present aspect but can be anaspect of the present disclosure.

(33) For the machining system according to article (32), the moduledriving mechanism is configured to include a rack provided on one out ofone of the multiple working machine modules and the base so as to extendin the intersecting direction, a pinion which is provided on the otherone out of one of the multiple working machine modules and the base andwhich meshes with the rack, and a drive source which rotates the pinion.

According to the present aspect, in the module driving mechanism, a rackand pinion mechanism is employed. Since the rack and pinion mechanismcan reliably transmit a force and a rotation position of the pinion anda movement position of the rack have a linear relationship, according tothe present aspect, control of the rotation position of the pinionenables the module to be accurately drawn out to a position(hereinafter, referred to as a “drawn-out position” in some cases) towhich the module is drawn out.

<<Structure Related to Fixing of Modules>>

(41) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (33), a module fixing mechanism that fixes each working machinemodule at a fixing position set in the intersecting direction isprovided for each of the multiple working machine modules.

The “fixing position” corresponds to a “normal position (also referredto as a standard position)” which is a position at which the moduleshould be positioned during an operation of the corresponding system, ora “drawn-out position” which is set at any given position and at whichthe modules should be fixed in a case where the module is drawn out, orthe like. In the system of the present aspect, since the module is fixedat the set fixing position by the module fixing mechanism, it isconvenient to use. Further, since the module driving mechanism isprovided for each of the multiple modules, in the present aspect, it maybe considered that the multiple module fixing mechanisms are provided inthe system.

(42) For the machining system according to article (41), the modulefixing mechanism is configured to include a locked performing portionthat is provided on one out of one of the multiple working machinemodules and the base, a locking portion that is provided on the otherone out of one of the multiple working machine modules and the base andis capable of locking the locked portion, and a locking-portionoperating device that operates the locking portion in order to switchbetween a state in which the locked portion is locked by the lockingportion and a state in which the locked portion is not locked by thelocking portion.

The present aspect is an aspect which focuses only on a specificstructure of the module fixing mechanism. According to the system of thepresent aspect, it is possible to simply perform fixing of the moduleand releasing of the fixing. Further, in a case where the locked portionis provided in the module and the locking portion and the lockingportion operating device are provided on the base, it is possible toconsider as an aspect in which the fixing of the module and releasing ofthe fixing are performed at the base side, and conversely, in a casewhere the locked portion is provided in the base and the locking portionand the locking-portion operating device are provided on the module, itis possible to consider as an aspect in which the fixing and releasingof the fixing are performed at the module side.

(43) For the machining system according to article (41) or article (42),the module fixing mechanism has a configuration in which one of themultiple working machine modules is fixed respectively to multiplefixing positions set as the fixing positions in the intersectingdirection.

According to the present aspect, for example, it is possible to fix themodule by the module fixing mechanism at both the normal position andthe drawn-out position described above. Note that, the present aspectincludes not only an aspect in which a module fixing mechanism which canfix all the multiple modules to the multiple fixing positions isprovided, but also an aspect in which a module fixing mechanism whichcan fix only a portion of the multiple modules to the multiple fixingpositions is provided, and a module fixing mechanism which can fix themodules other than the portion of the multiple modules above to only onefixing position (for example, only the normal position) is provided.

(44) For the machining system according to article (43), the modulefixing mechanism is configured to include a locked portion that isprovided on one out of one of the multiple working machine modules andthe base, a locking portion that is provided on the other out of one ofthe multiple working machine modules and the base and is capable oflocking the locked portion, and a locking portion operating device thatoperates the locking portion in order to switch between a state in whichthe locked portion is locked by the locking portion and a state in whichthe locked portion is not locked by the locking portion, and multiple ofthe locked portions or multiple of the locking portions which functionas the locked performing portion or the locking portion, respectively,are provided at intervals in the intersecting direction, and thereby oneof the multiple working machine modules is fixed to the multiple fixingpositions.

The present aspect is an aspect which focuses only on a specificstructure of the module fixing mechanism which can fix the module to themultiple fixing positions. The present aspect includes an aspect inwhich multiple locked portions are provided, any one of the multiplelocked portions is locked by one locking portion, and thereby the moduleis fixed to the fixing position corresponding to the locked portion, andan aspect in which multiple locking portions are provided, any one ofthe multiple locking portions locks one locked portion, and thereby themodule is fixed to the fixing position corresponding to the lockingportion which performs locking. In order to realize an aspect belongingto one of the two aspects, for example, the module fixing mechanism canhave a configuration in which two locking portions and two lockedportions are provided at the same intervals, the module is fixed to thenormal position in a state in which one of the two locking portionslocks one of the two locked portions and the other locking portion locksthe other locked portion, the module is fixed to a first drawn-outposition in a state in which one of the two locking portions locks theother one of the two locked portions, and the module is fixed to asecond drawn-out position in a state in which the other one of the twolocking portions locks one of the two locked portions. The module fixingmechanism configured as above can be appropriately employed for a systemin which the module can be drawn out in both frontward and rearwarddirections.

(45) For the machining system according to any one of article (41) toarticle (44), the module fixing mechanism is a pressing type fixingmechanism which fixes one of the multiple working machine modules in astate of pressing the module against the base.

According to an aspect of the present article, the module is reliablyfixed to the base, and thereby it is possible to prevent or suppressadverse effects such as vibration of the module produced during anoperation. Specifically, in a case where the module is the lathe module,good cutting accuracy (processing accuracy) is ensured. Further, in thepresent aspect, the module fixing mechanisms do not all need to be thepressing type fixing mechanisms which are provided in the system. Inother words, an aspect in which only a portion of the module fixingmechanisms are the pressing type fixing mechanism is also included inthe present aspect.

(46) For the machining system according to article (45), the modulefixing mechanism is configured to include a locked portion that isprovided in one out of one of the multiple working machine modules andthe base, a locking portion that is provided on the other out of one ofthe multiple working machine modules and the base and is capable oflocking the locked portion, and a locking portion operating device thatoperates the locking portion in order to switch between a state in whichthe locked portion is locked by the locking portion and a state in whichthe locked portion is not locked by the locking portion, and the lockingportion operating device causes the locking portion to bias the lockedportion in a state in which the locked portion is locked by the lockingportion, and thereby the locking portion operating device fixes one ofthe multiple working machine modules in a state in which the module ispressed against the base.

The present aspect is an aspect which focuses only on a specificstructure of the pressing type fixing mechanism. For example, accordingto the present aspect, it is possible to realize the pressing typefixing mechanism with a simple configuration in which the lockingportion is attracted to or pressed against the locked portion.

<<Detachment from Base>>

(51) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (46), each of the multiple working machine modules is capable ofbeing drawn out so as to be detachable from the base.

According to the system of the present aspect, it is possible to easilyperform the replacement of modules. Since it is possible to flexiblycope with a change of an operation or the like by the system, the systemof the present aspect is sufficiently flexible. Further, in the systemof the present aspect, during the maintenance of the module, since it ispossible for the module to be detachable from the base, the system ofthe present aspect is exceptionally convenient for complex maintenance,large-scale maintenance, or the like.

(52) For the machining system according to article (51), each of themultiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out in bothdirections opposite to each other in the intersecting direction and iscapable of being drawn out so as to be detachable from the base in atleast one direction of both directions.

In the present aspect, all the modules may be capable of being drawn outso as to be detachable only in one direction of both directions or allthe modules may be capable of being drawn out so as to be detachable inboth directions. In addition, a portion of the multiple modules may becapable of being drawn out so as to be detachable only in one directionof both directions, with the rest of the multiple modules being capableof being drawn out so as to be detachable in both directions.

(53) For the machining system according to article (52), each of themultiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out so as tobe detachable in at least the same direction.

According to the present aspect, all the modules can be drawn out so asto be detachable on at least one of the frontward side or the rearwardside. Accordingly, in the system of the present aspect, it is possibleto easily replace the modules only through a space for the replacementof the module, which is provided at only one of the frontward side andthe rearward side of the system. In other words, in the system of thepresent aspect, it is possible for the space required around thecorresponding system to be relatively small. In other words, accordingto the present aspect, a system for which the installation ability isexcellent is realized.

(54) For the machining system according to article (53), in a case whereone of both directions opposite to each other in the intersectingdirection is defined to be frontward and the other direction is definedto be rearward, each of the multiple working machine modules has anoperating space on the frontward side, in which an operation isperformed on a work, and can be drawn out so as to be detachable fromthe base at least rearward.

According to the system of the present aspect, all the modules can bedrawn out so as to be detachable on the rearward side. As will bedescribed below, in a case of a configuration in which shavings aredischarged on the rearward side, in general, because a receptacle of theshavings is disposed rearward beside the system, so-called dead space isformed beside the rearward side. According to the present aspect, it ispossible to replace the module using the dead space only by removing ofthe receptacle of the shavings.

(55) For the machining system according to any one of article (51) toarticle (54), the machining system includes a transfer cart that, whenany one of the multiple working machine modules is detached from thebase, is fixed beside the base such that the track extends so as to beused to transfer the working machine module.

According to the present aspect, since it is possible to transport thedetached module in a state of being mounted on the transfer cart, it ispossible to easily perform the replacement of the module. Note that, thetransfer cart is not only used for detaching the module, but can be alsoused for fixing the module in a state in which a part of the module ismounted on the transfer cart when the module is drawn out. The module isdrawn out in such a state, and thereby, according to the present aspect,the drawing-out of the module is performed in a stable state when themodule is drawn out a relatively long way, that is, when a relativelylarge part of the module overhangs the base.

(56) For the machining system according to article (55), the transfercart includes a module moving device that performs movement to thetransfer cart from the base along the track in order to transfer any oneof the multiple working machine modules.

The module moving device in the present aspect may be configured toinclude an electric motor or the like as a drive source or may beconfigured to use human power as the driving force. According to thepresent aspect, for the transfer of the module to the transfer cart, itis possible to transfer the module using a relatively small force whennot using human power or even in a case when using human power.

(57) For the machining system according to article (56), the modulemoving device includes a threaded rod which is disposed extending in adirection of movement of any one of the multiple working machine modulesby the module moving device, which has male threads formed on the outercircumference, and which rotates due to the rotating force appliedthereto, and a movable engagement body which engages with any one of themultiple working machine modules, which is screwed with the male threadsof the threaded rod, and which moves in the intersecting direction basedon the rotation of the threaded rod.

The present aspect is an aspect which focuses only on a specificstructure of the module moving device. In a case where the module movingdevice includes a drive source, the threaded rod may be caused to rotateby the driving force of the drive source; in contrast, in a case where adrive source is not included, for example, the configuration may be suchthat a wheel is attached at an end portion of the threaded rod, thewheel is rotated by an operator, and thereby the module is caused tomove in a state of being engaged with the movable engagement body. Notethat, in the present aspect, it is possible to consider that the screwmechanism is configured of the threaded rod and the movable engagementbody described above and, for example, the screw mechanism may employ atrapezoidal screw, a ball screw, or the like. In the present aspect, asa technique of engagement between the movable engagement body and themodule, for example, various techniques such as a technique (so-called“latching”) of latching of the movable engagement body to the module ora technique of fastening of the movable engagement body with the moduleusing a fastening member such as a bolt can be employed.

<<Module Arrangement Regions on Base>>

(61) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (57), multiple arrangement regions having the same widths in thearrangement direction are set on the base, and each of the multipleworking machine modules is arranged to occupy one or more of themultiple arrangement regions but not to protrude into another regionadjacent to the occupied one or more of the multiple arrangementregions.

In the present aspect, the “arrangement region” is a virtual space setto be demarcated on the base and it is possible to be considered as aunit space which defines a space in which the module is disposed. Themultiple arrangement regions are arranged in parallel in the arrangementdirection without an interval, that is, the arrangement regions are incontact with each other. The number of modules differs from the numberof arrangement regions occupied due to the different widths of themodules; there are modules which occupy only one arrangement region, andthere are modules which occupy multiple arrangement regions. When thewidth of the module (dimension in the arrangement region) is defined asa “module width” and the width of one arrangement region (dimension inthe arrangement region) is defined as a “region width,” the system mayhave a configuration in which only modules having a width equal to orless than the region width are arranged in parallel, a configuration inwhich only the modules having a module width exceeding the region widthare arranged in parallel, or a configuration in which modules having awidth equal to or less than the region width and modules having a widthexceeding the region width are mixed and arranged in parallel.

In the present aspect, the modules exceeding the region width occupy twoor more arrangement regions; however, the modules are arranged not toprotrude into an adjacent arrangement region. In other words, asituation in which an arrangement region occupied by one module isprotruded into by a portion of another module is prevented. That is, twomodules are prevented from coexisting in one arrangement region.However, since no arrangement region is set on the outer side of theends of the multiple arrangement regions, the module positioned at theend in the arrangement direction is allowed to protrude outside from thearrangement region positioned at the end. Further, in the presentaspect, for example, in a case where the multiple modules are arrangedto be closely adjacent to each other, of the multiple modules, exceptfor the two modules on both ends, each of the other modules, has amodule width approximately of an integer multiple of the region width.

In view of the above description, the present aspect can be consideredas an aspect in which the module width and a rule according to thearrangement of the modules in association with the arrangement regiondescribed above are defined. In accordance with the rule, it is possibleto avoid complexity when a module mounted on the base is changed toanother module or another type of module, and thus in the presentaspect, a flexible system is achieved.

(62) For the machining system according to article (61), one of themultiple working machine modules occupies one of the multiplearrangement regions and another one of the multiple working machinemodules occupies two or more regions of the multiple arrangementregions.

To put it simply, the present aspect is an aspect in which aconfiguration in which modules having different module widths areincluded is employed. In a case where a module occupying only onearrangement region is defined as a “single region occupying module,” anda module occupying multiple continuous arrangement regions is defined asa “multi-region occupying module,” the present aspect can be expressedas an aspect in which one or more single region occupying modules andone or more multi-region occupying modules are arranged.

(63) In the machining system according to article (61) or article (62),at least one of the two modules arranged at both ends of the multipleworking machine modules is arranged to protrude from one end of one ofthe multiple arrangement regions at which the modules are arranged.

As described above, the present aspect is an aspect in which the moduleat the end of the arrangement protrudes outside from the arrangementregion at the end. According to the present aspect, a module having amodule width exceeding the multiple of the region width can also bearranged at the end portion in the arrangement direction without anyrestrictions of an adjacent module. Thus, according to the presentaspect, a system including a module having a relatively large modulewidth also becomes a system having a high degree of freedom related tothe arrangement of the modules.

(64) In the machining system according to article (63), at least one oftwo modules arranged at both ends of the multiple working machinemodules is arranged to protrude from the base.

According to the present aspect, it is possible to have a base with arelatively small width (length in the arrangement direction) even whenthe system includes a module with a relatively large module width.

(65) For the machining system according to any one of article (61) toarticle (64), each of the multiple working machine modules has one pairof wheels; the base has multiple rail pairs which are disposed at equalintervals in the arrangement direction corresponding to the multiplearrangement regions, and configured of one pair of rails laid so as toextend in the intersecting direction; and each of the pair of wheelsprovided in each of the multiple working machine modules circles aroundon one of the pair of rails which configure one rail pair disposedcorresponding to any one of the multiple arrangement regions which areoccupied by each of the multiple working machine modules, such that eachof the multiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn outfrom the base along the track.

The present aspect is an aspect in which the rail pairs described aboveare arranged on the base corresponding to the arrangement regions. Inthe present aspect, each of the pair of wheels provided in one modulecircles around on any one rail laid corresponding to one or morearrangement regions which are occupied by the module. To be moreparticular, for example, in a case where the module is the single regionoccupying module described above, one of the pair of wheels provided inthe module circles around on one of the pair of rails laid correspondingto the arrangement region which is occupied by the module and the otherwheel circles around on the other rail.

(66) For the machining system according to article (65), the multipleworking machine modules include a multi-region occupying module whichoccupies two or more of the multiple arrangement regions, one of thepair of wheels provided in the multi-region occupying module circlesaround on one of the pair of rails which configure one rail pairdisposed corresponding to one of two or more of the multiple arrangementregions, and the other one of the pair of wheels circles around on oneof the pair of rails which configure one rail pair disposedcorresponding to another one of two or more of the multiple arrangementregions, thus the multi-region occupying module is capable of beingdrawn out from the base along the track.

To put it simply, the present aspect is an aspect which focuses only onwhich rail on which one of the pair of wheels circles around in a casewhere the module is the multi-region occupying module described above.Specifically, for example, in a case where the module is a two-regionoccupying module which occupies two arrangement regions, one of the pairof wheels provided in the module may circle around on one (for example,one positioned on the outer side in the arrangement direction) of thepair of rails laid corresponding to one of two arrangement regions whichare occupied by the module, the other wheel may circle around on one(for example, one positioned on the outer side in the arrangementdirection) of the pair of rails laid corresponding to the other one oftwo arrangement regions which are occupied by the module.

(67) For the machining system according to any one of article (61) toarticle (66), a module driving mechanism that drives each workingmachine module in the intersecting direction is provided for each of themultiple working machine modules, and multiple base side componentswhich can configure the module driving mechanisms, respectively, arearranged on the base corresponding to the multiple arrangement regions.

To put it simply, the present aspect is an aspect in which a portion ofthe module driving mechanism described above, which should be disposedon the base, is disposed on the base for each arrangement region.According to the present aspect, since the portion is provided for eacharrangement region, for a module occupying any arrangement region, it ispossible to easily draw out the module by the module driving mechanism.

(68) For the machining system according to any one of article (61) toarticle (67), a module fixing mechanism that fixes each working machinemodule at a fixing position set in the intersecting direction isprovided for each of the multiple working machine modules, and multiplebase side components which can configure the module fixing mechanism,respectively, are arranged on the base corresponding to the multiplearrangement regions.

To put it simply, the present aspect is an aspect in which a portion ofthe module fixing mechanism described above, which should be disposed onthe base, is disposed on the base for each arrangement region. Accordingto the present aspect, since the portion is provided for eacharrangement region, for a module occupying any arrangement region, it ispossible to fix the module at the set fixing position by the modulefixing mechanism.

(69) For the machining system according to any one of article (61) toarticle (68), the base is configured of multiple base units on which twoor more of the multiple arrangement regions are set.

The present aspect is an aspect which focuses only on a relationshipbetween the multiple arrangement regions and the base units in thesystem in which the base is configured of several base units. In thepresent aspect, one arrangement region is not divided for two baseunits, but one arrangement region corresponds to any one of the multiplebase units. In other words, it is possible to consider that one baseunit exists for each arrangement region of the several arrangementregions. Thus, according to the present aspect, it is possible to simplymodularize the base unit.

<<Variations in Modularization>>

(71) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (69), one or more of the multiple working machine modules have amovable bed which moves along the track and a working machine body fixedto the movable bed.

According to the present aspect, it is possible to unitize the movablebed. For example, various working machine bodies are fixed to theunitized movable bed, and thereby it is possible to build variousworking machine modules. In other words, according to the presentaspect, it is possible to make the movable bed common (shared) and it ispossible to simply build a general-purpose system. Further, the presentaspect may include a module without a movable bed, that is, a modulewhich is not divided into the movable bed and the working machine body.Note that, in consideration of several types of modules which havedifferent module widths, several movable beds corresponding to themodule widths may be prepared.

(72) For the machining system according to article (71), the moduledriving mechanism that drives each working machine module in theintersecting direction is provided for each of the multiple workingmachine modules, and module side components which configure the moduledriving mechanism are arranged on the movable bed.

(73) For the machining system according to article (71) or article (72),the module fixing mechanism that fixes each working machine module at afixing position set in the intersecting direction is provided for eachof the multiple working machine modules, and module side componentswhich configure the module fixing mechanism are arranged on the movablebed.

In a case where a mechanism is built including components provided onthe base side and components provided on the module side, each of theaspects in the two articles described above can be considered as anaspect in which components on the module side are incorporated in themovable bed. According to the two aspects described above, the movablebed can be unitized in a more advanced manner.

(74) For the machining system according to any one of article (71) toarticle (73), each of the two or more of the multiple working machinemodules has the movable bed and the movable bed of each of the two ormore thereof is shared.

To put it simply, the present aspect can be considered as an aspect inwhich, for example, several modules are configured by one type ofmovable bed, which shares the same configuration. Note that, the systemof the present aspect may be configured to include a module including amovable bed which is not shared.

(75) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (74), one or more of the multiple working machine modules aremodularized including a control panel which controls the module itself.

(76) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (75), one or more of the multiple working machine modules aremodularized including an operating space housing surrounding theoperating space in which an operation on the work is performed.

The aspects of two articles described above can be considered as aspectsin which a certain module is modularized in a more advanced manner.According to the aspects of the two articles described above, in a casewhere the module is replaced, it is possible to simply replace themodule because this does not mean that only the working machine body isreplaced.

(77) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (76), the multiple working machine modules include the multiplemachine tool modules, each of two or more of the multiple machine toolmodules includes a spindle which rotates the work, and a spindle casingwhich holds the spindle, two or more of the multiple machine toolmodules include two types of machine tool modules having differentspindle diameters, and the external dimensions and shapes of the spindlecasings provided in the two types of machine tool modules, respectively,are unified.

The present aspect can be considered as an aspect in which the spindlecasing is standardized in a case where the working machine module is themachine tool module. According to the present aspect, by sharing anattachment method of the spindle casing and so on, machine tool moduleswith different spindle diameters can have unified module specifications,to be more particular, specifications of the machine tool itself can beunified.

<<Work Transporting Device>>

(81) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (77), the machining system includes a work transporting devicewhich transports the work on a side surface of the base in thearrangement direction.

In a case where operations are performed on work through multiplemodules, there is a need to transport the work between the multiplemodules, therefore, a transport device which performs transport isdisposed in the system. In the present aspect, since the worktransporting device is disposed on a side surface of the base, to bemore particular, on a side surface of the base in the intersectingdirection, it is possible to avoid interference of the module with thework transporting device when the module is drawn out. Further, in acase where operating spaces for the plurality of respective modules arepositioned on the frontward side, it is desirable that the worktransporting device is positioned on the side surface of the base on thefrontward side. Note that, according to the present aspect, it ispossible to modularize the base including the work transporting device.

(82) For the machining system according to article (81), the multiplearrangement regions having the same width in the arrangement directionare set on the base, the base is configured of the multiple base unitsto which two or more of the multiple arrangement regions are set, andthe work transporting device is configured to include the multipletransport device units corresponding to the multiple base units.

According to the present aspect, in a case where the base is configuredof the multiple base units, each base unit can be modularized (unitized)by incorporating a portion of the work transporting device.

(83) For the machining system according to any one of article (81) orarticle (82), the work transporting device includes multiple work bedswhich are provided corresponding to multiple working machine modules andon which the work is mounted, and a work bed moving device which movesthe multiple work beds in the arrangement direction.

The present aspect is an aspect which focuses only on a specificstructure of the work transporting device. The work transporting deviceaccording to the present aspect may have a configuration as describedbelow. Basically, when one work bed is provided corresponding to onemodule, and both are referred to as a “corresponding work bed” and a“corresponding module,” respectively, the corresponding work bed isconfigured to perform delivery of the work between the correspondingwork bed and the corresponding module, in a state in which thecorresponding work bed is positioned at a set position set with respectto the corresponding module. Also, the work bed moving device isconfigured to move the corresponding work bed to at least one of a setposition set with respect to the module (hereinafter, referred to as an“upstream-side module” in some cases) on a side on which a formeroperation is performed and a set position set with respect to the module(hereinafter, referred to as a “downstream-side module” in some cases)on the side on which a latter operation is performed, and the work bedmoving device has a configuration in which the delivery of the work isperformed also between the corresponding work bed and at least one ofthe upstream side module and the downstream side module. Under such aconfiguration, the work transporting device can perform at least one ofan operation of transport of the work received from the upstream sidemodule by the corresponding work bed to the corresponding module and theoperation of transport of the work received from the correspondingmodule by the corresponding work bed to the downstream side module.Further, the set position set for the delivery of the work describedabove is referred to as a “delivery position” in some cases and thedelivery position at which delivery of the work is performed between thecorresponding modules is referred to as a “home position” in some cases.Note that, in the multi-region occupying module described above, two ormore work beds may become the work bed corresponding to the module insome cases.

Further, as described above, in a case where the base is configured ofmultiple base units, one base unit can be modularized incorporating twoor more of the number of work beds corresponding to the number ofmodules mounted on the base unit, and a portion of the work bed movingdevice which moves the two or more work beds.

(84) For the machining system according to article (83), the work bedmoving device is configured to move the multiple work beds all together.

In a case where the work bed corresponding to a certain module is movedto the delivery position with respect to the upstream side module or thedownstream side module, a circumstance under which the work bedcorresponding to the upstream side module or the downstream side modulemust be retracted can be supposed. According to present aspect, sincethe multiple work beds are moved all together, that is, movedsynchronously by the work bed moving device, such a circumstance doesnot occur and smooth transport of the work is realized.

(85) For the machining system according to article (83) or article (84),multiple arrangement regions having the same widths in the arrangementdirection are set on the base, and each of the multiple working machinemodules is arranged to occupy one or more of the multiple arrangementregions but not to protrude into another region adjacent to one or moreof the multiple arrangement regions; and the multiple work beds arearranged in parallel in the arrangement direction at a pitch equal tothe width of the multiple arrangement regions, corresponding to themultiple arrangement regions, for the number of the multiple arrangementregions.

(86) For the machining system according to article (85), the work bedmoving device is configured to cause the multiple work beds to movetogether by a distance equal to the pitch.

The aspects according to the two articles described above are aspects inwhich the work transporting device is configured to be associated withthe multiple arrangement regions in the system described above to whichthe multiple arrangement regions are set. The former aspect, to put itsimply, is an aspect in which the work bed is provided for eacharrangement region, and the latter aspect is an aspect in which the workbed is moved in association with the arrangement region.

(87) For the machining system according to any one of article (83) toarticle (86), each of the multiple working machine modules is configuredto perform operation with respect to a work positioned at the setoperation position, and has a work transferring device which transfersthe work mounted on one of the multiple work beds to the operationposition and transfers the work, on which the operation is performed, toone of the multiple work beds from the operation position.

The work transferring device in the present aspect can be considered asa device which performs attachment and detachment of the work at theoperation position. Further, in a case where a certain module is the“target module,” the work bed on which the work (hereinafter, referredto as an “operation uncompleted work” in some cases), on which anoperation is to be performed by the target module, is mounted may beseparate from the work bed on which a work (hereinafter, referred to asan “operation completed work” in some cases), on which the operation hasbeen completed by the target module, is mounted. Specifically, theoperation uncompleted work mounted on the work bed corresponding to thetarget module may be transferred to the operation position by the worktransferring device, or the operation uncompleted work may be mounted onthe work bed corresponding to the upstream-side module, as the operationcompleted work in the upstream-side module, and after the work bed ismoved to the delivery position of the target module, the work mounted onthe work bed may be transferred to the operation position by the worktransferring device. In addition, for example, the operation completedwork may be transferred to the work bed corresponding to the targetmodule from the operation position by the work transferring device, andthe operation completed work may be transferred to the work bedcorresponding to the downstream side module moved to the deliveryposition of the target module as the operation uncompleted work of thedownstream side module by the work transferring device.

(88) For the machining system according to article (87), the machiningsystem includes a work inverting device that inverts the work which isto be transferred or has been transferred by the work transferringdevice.

The present aspect is appropriate in a case where orientation of thework at the operation position of the target module and the orientationof the work at the operation position of the upstream side module or thedownstream side module are reversed. For example, the work invertingdevice in the present aspect may be provided above the work bed in anon-moving state so as to have a relatively simple structure. Inaddition, that kind of work inverting device may be configured to gripthe work at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction in aposture mounted on the work bed and to invert the work above the workbed. Further, the work inverting device in the present aspect may beconfigured to invert only the operation uncompleted work or only theoperation completed work, or may be configured to invert both theoperation uncompleted work and the operation completed work. Inaddition, the work inverting device may be provided in the workingmachine module or at the work transporting device. Further, there is noneed to provide the an inverting device corresponding to each of themodules such that the number of inverting devices is the same as thenumber of modules; the work inverting device may be provided only for aportion of the modules.

<<Work Bed Lifting and Lowering Device>>

(91) For the machining system according to any one of article (83) toarticle (88), the work transporting device has a work bed lifting andlowering device which lifts and lowers each of the work beds for each ofthe multiple work beds.

As described above, in a case where the work transporting device havingmultiple work beds is disposed on a side surface of the base, it isdesirable that the work transporting device does not interfere when themodule is drawn out. In addition, in a case where the module protrudesfrom the side surface described above of the base, or the like, it canbe thought that the work bed or the work mounted on the work bed willinterfere with the module when the work bed moves in the arrangementdirection. Considering the interference, it is desirable that themultiple work beds are disposed at a considerably low position.According to the present aspect, since the work bed lifting and loweringdevice is provided, the delivery of the work by the work bed isperformed when the work bed is positioned at a relatively high position;in contrast, during a normal state or during drawing-out of the module,or during movement of the work bed in the arrangement direction, sinceit is possible to position the work bed at a relatively low position, itis possible to prevent the interference described above.

(92) For the machining system according to article (91), the worktransporting device has a configuration in which the work bed movingdevice moves the multiple work beds lowered by the work bed lifting andlowering device.

(93) For the machining system according to any one of article (91) orarticle (92), each of the multiple working machine modules performs anoperation on the work mounted on one of the multiple work beds lifted bythe work bed lifting and lowering device and the work, on which theoperation is performed, is mounted on one of the multiple work bedslifted by the work bed lifting and lowering device.

(94) For the machining system according to article (93), each of themultiple working machine modules is configured to perform operation withrespect to the work positioned at the set operation position, and hasthe work transferring device which transfers, to the operation position,the work mounted on one of the multiple work beds lifted by the work bedlifting and lowering device and transfers the work, on which theoperation is performed, from the operation position to one of themultiple work beds lifted by the work bed lifting and lowering device.

(95) For the machining system according to article (94), the machiningsystem includes a work inverting device that inverts the work which isto be transferred or has been transferred by the work transferringdevice and is configured to invert, by the work inverting device, thework mounted on one of the multiple work beds lifted by the work bedlifting and lowering device.

The aspects according to the four articles described above are aspectswhich focus only on a relationship between a “work bed lifting andlowering position” as a position in the vertical direction of the workbed which is positioned by the work bed lifting and lowering device andan operation of the module or the work transporting device. According tothe present aspect, as described above, it is possible to avoidinterference between the work bed and the work mounted on the work bed.Further, the work bed lifting and lowering position may be set in aleveled manner or may be set in a non-leveled manner. In a case ofleveled setting, two position, the upper end position and the lower endposition, may be set, or one or more intermediate positions may be setbetween the upper end position and the lower end position. In otherwords, two or more lifting positions or two or more lowering positionsmay be set. Note that, the lifting position at which the work bed ispositioned when the work transferring device transfers the work may bedifferent from the lifting position at which the work bed is positionedwhen the work inverting device inverts the work. In this case,specifically, for example, it is possible to make the position of thelatter lower than the position of the former.

(96) For the machining system according to any one of article (91) toarticle (95), the work bed lifting and lowering device is a two-stagelifting and lowering device which lifts and lowers one of the multiplework beds at two stages.

With the work bed lifting and lowering device in the present aspect, itis possible to consider the work bed lifting and lowering device as aso-called telescopic type lifting and lowering device. According to thepresent aspect, even a relatively small lifting and lowering device canproduce a relatively large lifting and lowering stroke (lifting andlowering distance) of the work bed. In addition, the work bed liftingand lowering device in the present aspect is convenient in a case wherean intermediate position is set as a work bed lifting and loweringposition in addition to the upper end portion and the lower endposition.

<<Disposal of Coolant and Shavings>>

(101) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (96), a built-in coolant tank that contains coolant is providedin the base.

The “coolant” in the present aspect means cutting oil, cutting fluid,machining fluid applied to the work during a cutting process and isnecessary for many machining modules. According to the present aspect,the coolant tank is provided inside the base, and because the coolanttank does not have to be provided in the module, it is possible tominiaturize the module by the size of the coolant tank.

One coolant tank may be provided on the base or multiple coolant tanksmay be provided corresponding to the multiple modules or the multiplearrangement regions. In addition, two or more coolant tanks may beprovided so as to be shared by several adjacent modules of the multiplemodules or several adjacent arrangement regions of the multiplearrangement regions. As described above, in a case where the base isconfigured to include multiple base units, one coolant tank may beprovided for each unit. Further, in terms of cleaning, it is desirablethat the coolant tank can be drawn out.

(102) For the machining system according to article (101), the baseincludes a reception port which is provided protruding on the base, andreceives the coolant which is discharged in the operating space in whichoperation on the work is performed by one of the multiple workingmachine modules, to the coolant tank, and a reception port retractingmechanism that retracts the reception port so as to avoid interferencewith the reception port when one of the multiple working machine modulesis drawn out.

In order to efficiently collect the coolant discharged in the operatingspace into the coolant tank, it is desirable to employ a structure inwhich the lower section of the operating space housing surrounding theoperating space is formed to be narrower toward the lower side, and thecoolant discharged from the opening provided on the lower end of theportion flows into the reception port to be described below, which isprovided in the base. In a case where such a structure is employed, inorder to prevent the coolant from dispersing and leaking, it isdesirable to employ a configuration in which the reception port isformed to have a sleeve shape or the like and protrudes upward, and thereception port and the opening, described above, provided on the lowerportion of the operating space housing, overlap with each other in thevertical direction. In other words, it is desirable to employ aconfiguration in which the opening is positioned on the lower side fromthe top end of the reception port. In a case of such a configuration,the reception port protrudes into the occupying space of the module, andthereby the reception port interferes with the opening when the moduleis drawn out, thus leading to a situation in which the module is notproperly drawn out. In the present aspect, in order not to generate sucha situation, the reception port retracting mechanism is provided.Further, in the present aspect, the reception port may be provided foreach module or may be provided for each arrangement region describedabove.

(103) For the machining system according to article (102), a modulefixing mechanism that fixes each working machine module at a fixingposition set in the intersecting direction is provided for each of themultiple working machine modules, and the reception port retractingmechanism is configured to retract the reception port linked with therelease of the fixing of one of the multiple working machine modules bythe module fixing mechanism.

The present aspect is an aspect in which the reception port retractingmechanism is linked to the module fixing mechanism. In a case ofemploying the module fixing mechanism, when the module is drawn out, therelease of the fixing of the module by the module fixing mechanism isnecessary, therefore, according to the present aspect, the twomechanisms are linked and the two mechanisms do not need to be operatedindividually. In addition, according to the present aspect, since thetwo mechanisms can share one drive source, the two mechanisms have asimple structure. Further, in a case where the module fixing mechanismis configured to include a locking portion, a locked portion and alocking portion operating mechanism, the reception port retractingmechanism may be linked to the locking portion operating mechanism.

(104) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (103), the base includes an expandable coolant receiver whichexpands downward from a portion overhung from the base of the module andreceives coolant which drops down from the portion when one of themultiple working machine modules is drawn out from the base.

In a case where the working machine module is a machine tool module, ingeneral, the coolant is discharged to the operating space, therefore,when the module is drawn out, it can be expected that the coolantremaining in the operating space, to be more particular, the coolantremaining on the inner surface of the operating space housing will dropfrom the opening of the operating space housing. Also, when a portion ofthe module, to which an opening is provided, is overlapped with thebase, the coolant drops down to the floor on which the system isdisposed. According to the present aspect, it is possible to avoid sucha situation.

In the present aspect, in a case where the built-in coolant tank isprovided in the base, it is desirable that the coolant received by theexpandable coolant receiver is guided to the coolant tank. In addition,there is no particular limitation on a specific structure of theexpandable coolant receiver, for example, it is possible to employ astructure in which a plate, a pan, or the like, approaches a sidesurface from the base along with the drawing out of the module, astructure in which a wound sheet is unwound and expanded along with thedrawing out of the module, or the like.

(105) For the machining system according to any one of article (1) toarticle (104), the base is configured to receive shavings produced inthe operating space in which the operation is performed on the work byone of the multiple working machine modules, into the inside of the baseitself, and the machining system includes a shavings discharge devicewhich discharges the shavings received in the base from a side surfaceof the base.

In a case where the working machine module is the machine tool module,the shavings (so-called “chips”) drop down from the operating space,therefore, it is desirable that the base is configured to receive thedropped shavings. The present aspect is an aspect which only focuses ona structure for discharging the received shavings in the system havingsuch a configuration. According to the respective articles, the receivedshavings are easily discharged to the outside of the system. In a casewhere the built-in coolant tank is provided in the base, a configurationin which the coolant tank receives the shavings along with the coolantmay be employed, and in such a configuration, the shavings dischargedevice may be provided in the coolant tank. In this manner, as thedisposed shavings discharge device, it is possible to employ a chipconveyor having a structure in which a metal net circles around, a screwconveyor having a configuration in which a screw having a feeding platewith a spiral shape rotates, or the like. Note that, discharged shavingsmay be stored in a shavings collecting box or the like disposed on aside surface of the system. Further, only one shavings discharge devicemay be provided to the base, or multiple shavings discharge devices maybe provided for each module. In a case where multiple shavings dischargedevices are provided, it is possible to provide the shavings dischargedevice for each coolant tank when multiple built-in coolant tanks areprovided; when the base is configured of multiple base units, theshavings discharge device may be provided for each base unit.

(106) For the machining system according to article (105), the shavingsdischarge device is configured to discharge the shavings from one of twoside surfaces of the base, which are trailing from each other in theintersecting direction.

(107) For the machining system according to article (106), in a casewhere one of both directions opposite to each other in the intersectingdirection is defined to be frontward and the other direction is definedto be rearward, one of the multiple working machine modules has anoperating space on the frontward side, in which an operation isperformed on a work, and the shavings discharge device is configured todischarge the shavings from the side surface of the base on the rearwardside.

The aspects of the two articles described above are aspects which focusonly on which side surface of the base from which the shavings aredischarged by the shavings discharge device. According to the aspects ofthe two articles described above, the shavings collecting box or thelike does not have to be disposed beside the system in the arrangementdirection, such that it is possible to reduce the length of the entiresystem including the shavings collecting box or the like. Further,according to the latter aspect, since there is no need to dispose theshavings collecting box or the like on the operating space side, theaspect has an advantage that it is possible to easily monitor theoperation state of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a machining system of an embodimentviewed from the right front side, in which four working machine modulesare arranged and mounted on one base.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the machining system of anembodiment viewed from the left front side, in a state in which some ofthe external panels are open.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the machining system of anembodiment viewed obliquely from above and from the right front side, ina state in which external panels have been removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one base unit constituting a base,and two working machine modules mounted on the base unit, in a state inwhich external panels have been removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the one base unit and one workingmachine module mounted on the base unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one base unit constituting thebase, and one working machine module mounted on the base unit, in astate in which some of the external panels are open.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the machining system of anembodiment viewed from the left front side, in a state in which theexternal panels have been removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the workingmachine module is drawn out rearward from the base.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the working machine module.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a lathe body as a working machine body ofthe working machine module.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a tool holding head which the workingmachine module can employ separately.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views depicting a structure related toattachment of a spindle provided in the working machine module.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing one base unit constituting thebase.

FIG. 14A is a front view showing a bed of the working machine module andFIGS. 14B and 14C are front views showing a part of the bed.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the bed of the working machine module.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a transfer cart by which theworking machine module is transferred.

FIG. 17 is a side view including a part of a cross section showing alocking rod operating device disposed on the base.

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically depicting a relationship betweendrawing of the working machine module from the base and a module fixingmechanism.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing a state in which a coolant tank isdisposed inside the base.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing an operating space of the workingmachine module and the inside of the base.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a structure in which a coolant receptionport provided in the base is retracted.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing an expandable coolant receiver providedin the base.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a transport device unitconstituting a work transporting device disposed on the side surface ofthe base on the front side.

FIG. 24 is a side view depicting an operation of a work bed lifting andlowering device provided in the work transporting device.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view showing a work inverting deviceattached to the work bed lifting and lowering device.

FIGS. 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, and 26F are views schematically depictingan operation of the work inverting device.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are views schematically depicting the operation of thework transporting device.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a work loader.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are views schematically depicting an operation of thework loader.

FIG. 30 is a diagram schematically depicting an arrangement region onthe base, on which the working machine modules are arranged.

FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams schematically depicting an alternativeembodiment related to the arrangement of the working machine modules.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, representative embodiments of present disclosure aredescribed with reference to the drawings. Note that, the presentdisclosure can be realized, first, in the aspects described in thesections of the (aspects of the disclosure) described above, includingvarious aspects in which various alterations or modifications areperformed on the aspects, on the basis of knowledge of those skilled inthe art. In addition, it is possible to use technical matter describedin each section of the (aspects of the disclosure) to configure analternative embodiment also described below.

Example [A] Overall Configuration of Machining System

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a machining system as an embodiment(hereinafter, simply referred to as a “system” in some cases) isconfigured to include a base 10 and four working machine modules(hereinafter, simply referred to as a “module” in some cases) 12 mountedon the base 10. FIG. 1 shows a state in which external panels areaffixed and FIG. 2 shows a state in which some external panels have beenopened. FIG. 3 shows a state in which external panels have beendetached. Note that, the system is depicted such that the front side ofthe system, that is, a side on which the operation panel 14 is provided,faces the left side in FIG. 1, faces the right side in FIG. 2, and facesthe left side in FIG. 3. In the following description, “front and rear,”“right and left,” and “upward and downward” related to the system meanfront and rear, right and left, and upward and downward in a case wherethe system is viewed from the front side. In addition, since the fourmodules are arranged in the right-left direction, the right-leftdirection means an “arrangement direction” and the front-rear directionmeans a direction intersecting with (to be more particular, a directionorthogonal to) the arrangement direction, and thus is referred to as an“intersecting direction” in some cases.

Further, as first shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, some of the followingdrawings are schematic, and thus a part of components or a work isomitted or is schematically depicted in the drawings. Note that, in FIG.2, W1 represents a work positioned at a set operation position (positionwhen fed to an operation), W2 represents a work transported by a worktransporting device to be described below, and W3 represents a workexisting space region when the work is transferred by the worktransferring device to be described below, which are schematicallyshown; in FIG. 3, W4 represents a work positioned at an operationposition, which is schematically shown.

As understood from FIGS. 1 to 3, four modules 12 have substantially thesame shape, dimension, and structure and are closely arranged at a setarrangement pitch in the arrangement direction. The concept of the“arrangement pitch” will be described below, but is an interval betweenthe modules 12 equal to or less than 50 mm; practically however, thefour modules 12 are arranged substantially without a gap. In general,each of the modules 12 has a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped in astate in which the external panels are affixed and the dimension(hereinafter, referred to as “module width” in some cases) in theright-left direction is significantly smaller than the dimension(hereinafter, referred to as “module length” in some cases) in thefront-rear direction. Also, the base 10 has substantially the samedimension (hereinafter, referred to as “base width dimension” in somecases) as the overall dimension of the four modules 12 in the right-leftdirection in a case where the four modules 12 are mounted in anarrangement state and has a dimension (hereinafter, referred to as “basedepth dimension” in some cases) in the front-rear direction somewhatshorter than the dimension of the modules 12 in the front-reardirection. To put it simply, although the modules 12 protrude on thefront side and the rear side of the base 10, the base 10 has a size justcorrect for mounting the four modules 12 in the right-left direction. Inthe configuration as described above, although four modules 12 arearranged, the length of the system (hereinafter, referred to as a“system length” in some cases) in the arrangement direction of themodules 12 is relatively short.

The base 10 is configured to include two base units 16 arranged inparallel and fixed to each other and, as shown in FIG. 4, two modules 12are mounted on each of the base units 16. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a statein which one module 12 is mounted on one base unit 16, substantiallyfrom the same viewpoint as in FIG. 1. Note that, FIG. 6 shows a state inwhich some external panels are open. Each of the two base units 16 isstandardized and both base units have the same shape, dimension, andstructure.

As understood from FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, it is possible to consider that therespective present systems are configured of two system modules arrangedin parallel, which are configured to include one base unit 16 and twomodules 12 mounted on the base unit 16. In addition, from a differentviewpoint, it is possible to consider the two system modules as onemachining system in which multiple modules are mounted on one base as asingle product. Further, the present system is configured to include twobase units 16; however, a system, in which four modules are mounted onone base as a single product, can also be the system which is providedin the present disclosure.

The four modules 12 are also substantially the same in structure and, aswill be described below in detail, each of the modules 12 is a lathemodule in which a lathe is modularized and each of the modules is a typeof machine tool module. As shown in FIG. 4, in a state in which the fourmodules 12 are arranged, operating spaces, which are spaces in which acutting process (a type of operation for a work), that is, an operationon a work W4, is performed on the work W4 positioned at an operationalposition (position at which a work on which an operation is performed,is positioned), are arranged in parallel in the arrangement direction onthe front side of the system.

A feature of the present system is that the modules 12 are individuallydrawn out from the base 10. In other words, when a position at which themodule 12 should be positioned during an operation of the system, thatis, a position at which the modules 12 are positioned in FIG. 1 and FIG.3, is referred to as a normal position (standard position), the modules12 can move from the normal position in the intersecting direction. Amechanism by which the module 12 can be drawn out will be described indetail later, but in the present system, the modules 12 can be drawn outfrom the base 10 along a track extending in the intersecting direction.To be more particular, the modules can be drawn out on both sides in theintersecting direction, that is, both frontward and rearward. In otherwords, both frontward and rearward directions are a drawing-outdirection of the module 12. Further, the modules 12 can be drawn out tobe detached from the base 10. Note that, FIG. 2 shows a state in whichonly one module 12 on the rightmost side is drawn out frontward. Inaddition, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state with externalpanels removed, from a different viewpoint from that in FIG. 1, and astate in which only the second module 12 from the right is drawn outfrontward. Further, FIG. 8 shows a state in which one module 12 is drawnout so as to be detached from the base 10, in particular, detachedrearward from one base unit 16. Further, although FIG. 8 shows themodule 12 from which external panels have been removed, the module 12including the external panels is modularized, as will be describedbelow; therefore, it is possible to draw out the module 12 in a state inwhich the external panels are attached, so as to be detached from thebase 10. In addition, a portion of the external panel on the frontwardside is supported on the base 10, and by lowering the upper portion ofthe front-side portion to the front, it is possible to draw out themodule 12 frontward.

Although detailed description will be given below, the drawing-out ofthe module 12 frontward is performed during, mainly, replacement of thetool, a tooling change in response to a work change, or the like and themodule 12 is mainly drawn out on the rearward side during thereplacement of the module 12. In this manner, because each of themodules 12 is able to be drawn out, in the system, although the modules12 are disposed to be closely adjacent, it is possible to simply performan operation such as maintenance, a tooling change, and replacement ofeach of the modules 12.

Here, the systems shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and the system shown inFIG. 7 have a difference in detail, but the difference is slight, so thesystems have the same function and it is possible to consider all thesystems as the system of the embodiments. Also, for convenience, unlessotherwise noted, the following description is provided with regard tothe system shown in FIG. 7.

[B] Configuration of Working Machine Module

The working machine module 12 is a lathe module as described above, and,as shown in FIG. 9, includes a bed 22 as a movable bed which can holdmultiple wheels 20 in a rotatable manner, a lathe body 24 as a workingmachine body fixed on the bed 22, and a control panel 26 as a controldevice that controls the lathe body 24. The lathe body 24 is configuredto include a support 30 as a structure frame which is provided uprighton the bed 22, a spindle 32 (so-called main shaft) which is supported bythe support 30 at the lower section thereof and rotates the work W4 dueto rotation of the spindle itself, a tool holding head (hereinafter,referred to simply as a “head” in some cases) 36 that holds multiplebites 34 which are tools, respectively, and a head moving device 38which is supported by the support 30 at the upper section thereof andcauses the head 36 to move vertically and frontward and rearward.

To describe the lathe body 24 in detail with reference to FIG. 10, thesupport 30, which is provided upright on and fixed to the bed 22,includes a spindle holding section 40 on the lower section and thespindle 32, which will be described below in detail, is supported by thespindle holding section 40 via a spindle casing 42. A chuck 46 havingthree claws 44 is attached to the front end of the spindle 32. The chuck46 is provided to grip a work during a machining process and it ispossible to consider the chuck as a type of work holding tool. Detaileddescription of the structure is omitted; however the claw 44 is formedto be automatically opened and closed. A pulley 48 is externally fittedto the rear end portion of the spindle 32. On the other hand, a spindlerotating motor 50 is supported via a base plate 52 on the rear side ofthe support 30 and a pulley 54 is also fitted to the shaft of the motor50. A V belt 56 is wound around the two pulleys 48 and 54 and thespindle 32 is driven to rotate by the rotation of the motor 50.

A slider 60 is supported by the support 30 at the upper section to bevertically slidable along a pair of guides 62. The slider 60 is formedas a substantially square tube such that a beam 64 can be insertedtherein so as to be slidable frontward and rearward. The slider 60 islifted and lowered by a slider lifting and lowering mechanism 70 whichis configured of a ball screw mechanism or the like, having a sliderlifting and lowering motor 66 and a threaded rod 68 as main components.On the other hand, a support frame 72 is fixed to the support 30 on therear side and the beam 64 is moved frontward and rearward by a beamfrontward-rearward moving mechanism 78 which is configured of a ballscrew mechanism or the like, having a beam frontward-rearward movingmotor 74 supported by the support frame 72, and a threaded rod 76 asmain components. The head 36 described above is fixed to the front endof the beam 64 and the head 36 moves vertically through the lifting andlowering of the slider 60 and moves frontward and rearward through thefrontward and rearward movement of the beam 64. In other words, the headmoving device 38 described above is configured to include the slider 60,the beam 64, the slider lifting and lowering mechanism 70, the beamfrontward-rearward moving mechanism 78, and so on.

The head 36 is configured to include a base member 82, a turret 84 heldto the base member 82, a turret intermittent-rotating mechanism 86 whichis held to the base member 82 and intermittently rotates the turret 84,and a turret rotating motor 88 as a drive source of the rotation of theturret 84 by the turret intermittent-rotating mechanism 86. The turret84 is formed to have substantially a relatively short octagonal columnshape and, as shown in FIG. 10, a total of eight bites 34 can beattached to the outer circumferential surface or to the lower surfacevia a bite holding tool 90. For example, a cutting process is performedusing the bite 34 positioned on the rearmost side through intermittentrotation. Note that, although detailed description is omitted, theturret intermittent-rotating mechanism 86 has a structure in which theturret 84 is intermittently rotated in a state in which the turret 84 islowered, lifted at any given intermittently rotated position, and fixedat the lifted position. Further, instead of the head 36 described above,a head that includes a bite holder which is a comb-teeth type biteholder, that is, a holder holding multiple bites, and that moves suchthat any one of the multiple bites can perform cutting may be employed.

Further, instead of the tool holding head 36 described above, forexample, a tool holding head 100 as shown in FIG. 11 may be employed.The head 100 is a head which can hold a rotating tool such as a drill, amill, or the like as a tool and can rotate the tools. FIG. 11 shows astate in which a straight-type drill 102, an angular-type drill 104, andan end mill 106 are attached as the rotating tools. Similar to the head36, the head 100 is configured to include a base member 108, a turret110 held to the base member 108, a rotating mechanism 112 which is heldto the base member 108 and functions as a turret intermittent-rotatingmechanism that intermittently rotates the turret, and a rotating motor114 as a drive source of the rotation of the turret 110 by the rotatingmechanism 112. For example, drilling or milling is performed using therotating tool which is positioned on the rearmost side through theintermittent rotation.

Although detailed description of the structure is omitted, the rotatingmotor 114 also functions as a motor which causes the rotating toolitself to rotate and the rotating mechanism 112 also functions as arotation transmitting mechanism which causes the rotating tool to rotatedue to the rotation of the motor 114. In other words, the present head100 has a structure in which the rotation of the turret 110 and therotation of the rotating tool are selected to be performed by one motor114 and the rotating mechanism 112 and the rotating motor 114 configurea tool rotating device which causes a tool to rotate around the shaftthereof. Further, in a case of employing the head 100, in the midst ofperforming a process on a work by a rotating tool, the spindle 32basically does not rotate except for special processing such as helicalprocessing. In this case, the spindle 32 is to configure a so-calledindex table (a device that indexes works). In other words, the module 12that employs the head 100 becomes a drilling machine/milling machinemodule which performs fixing of a work in a state in which the work ispositioned at any given rotating position through the rotation of thespindle 32 and performs at least one of drilling and milling on the workby at least one of a drill and a mill as a tool.

In the structure as described above, the module 12 is disposed to have aposture in which the spindle 32 extends in the front-rear directionwhich is the intersecting direction; therefore, it is possible for themodule to be referred to as a spindle horizontal-arranging type moduleand it is possible for the module to have a small width because themodule is the spindle horizontal-arranging type module. In addition, thehead moving device 38 is provided to have a posture in which the beam 64extends parallel to a spindle shaft line above the spindle 32, to bemore particular, immediately on a spindle shaft line which is an axialline of the spindle 32, which also contributes to a decrease of themodule width. In addition, the heads 36 and 100 are configured to selectand hold one of multiple tools in a usable manner and to perform aprocess on the work by one tool selected from the multiple tools.Therefore, the present system can perform relatively complicatedmachining with a relatively small module.

The control panel 26 as a control device of the lathe body 24 has a dooron the rearward side, although not shown in the drawings, and it is easyto perform inspection, adjustment, maintenance, or the like, of theinside of the control panel 26 of any module 12 from the rearward sideof the system even in a state in which the module 12 is disposed on thebase 10. Further, in the present system, since the module 12 ismodularized including the control panel 26, the module 12 can beconsidered to be a module which is significantly and highly modularized.Note that, in the present system, the module 12 is modularized includingthe external panels of the module 12.

Here, to describe the attachment of the spindle 32 to the support 30 indetail, as shown in FIG. 12A, the spindle 32 is attached via the spindlecasing 42 so as to be inserted into a holding hole 120 provided in aspindle holding section 40 of the support 30. The spindle casing 42 hassubstantially a cylindrical shape having a flange 122 on the front endand can be referred to as a collar. The spindle casing 42 is fastened tothe spindle holding section 40 with a bolt using an attachment hole 124formed in the flange 122. The spindle 32 is supported by three bearings126, 128, and 130 and can rotate with respect to the spindle casing 42,that is, to the support 30.

Depending on a size of the work, size of a machining load, or the like,not only the spindle 32 having a diameter d, but also a spindle having adiameter different from the diameter d is attached in some cases. Forexample, in a case where a spindle 132 having a diameter D (>d) isattached, as shown in FIG. 12B, a spindle casing 134 different from thespindle casing 42, to be more particular, a spindle casing 134 which hasthe same external dimension and shape but has a different inner diameteris employed, whereby the spindle 132 can be attached easily. Further,the attachment hole 124 provided on the flange 122 has the samediameter, number, and arrangement pitch, or the like of the spindlecasing 42. From a different viewpoint, unification of the externaldimensions, and shape of the spindle casing, that is, standardization ofthe spindle casing is achieved and thereby, in the system, it is easy toperform modification of the spindle or mixing of two types of machinetool modules having spindles with diameters different from each other.

[C] Drawing-Out of Working Machine Module from Base

As shown in FIG. 13, the number of rail pairs 150 corresponding to thenumber of modules 12 mounted on each base unit 16, that is,specifically, two rail pairs 150, are provided parallel to thearrangement direction (right-left direction). One rail pair 150 has apair of rails 152 laid out at an interval extending in the intersectingdirection (front-rear direction). The rails 152 function as an itemdefining a track on which the module 12 moves when the module 12 isdrawn out, that is, function as a track defining member. In therespective modules 12, a pair of wheels 20 at each of the front andrear, that is, two pairs of wheels 20 are rotatably held in the bed 22.The interval between the pair of wheels 20 is equal to the intervalbetween the pair of rails 152 constituting the rail pair 150 and one ofthe pairs of wheels 20 rolls on the one pair of rails 152 and the otherpair of wheels rolls on the other pair of rails. Four rail pairs 150corresponding to the four modules 12 are provided in the entire base 10.In such a structure, the module 12 can be easily drawn out from the base10, to be more particular, from the base unit 16 on which the module ismounted, in the intersecting direction. Further, to describe engagementbetween one pair of rails 152 and one pair of wheels 20 with referenceto FIG. 14A, one rail (on the right side) of the two rails 152constituting the rail pair 150 is arch-shaped in a cross-sectional shapeand the other rail (on the left side) has a shape having both sidesurfaces parallel to each other. Since one wheel (on the left side) ofone pair of wheels 20 has a shape to pinch both the side surfacessubstantially without a gap, a position of the module 12 mounted on thebase 10 is accurately defined in the arrangement direction.

In the present system, the module 12 can be drawn out frontward usingpower of an electric motor, without depending on human power. As shownin FIG. 15, a rack bar (referred to simply as a “rack” in some cases)160 is attached to the bed 22 of each module 12, in a state of extendingout frontward from the bed on the right front side of the bed (refer toFIG. 8). The rack bar 160 has rack teeth formed on the lower surfacethereof. A module drawing-out motor 162 as a drive source is provided(refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 13) in the front end portion of the topsurface of the base 10 and a pinion 164 is fixed to a motor shaft of themotor 162. The pinion 164 meshes with the front end portion of the rackbar 160 when the module 12 is positioned at the normal position. Themodule 12 is driven frontward by the motor 162 being rotated in aforward direction; the module 12 is driven rearward by the motor beingrotated in a reverse direction. In other words, a module drivingmechanism 166 that drives the module 12 in the intersecting direction isconfigured including the rack bar 160, the motor 162, and the pinion164.

Drawing-out of the module 12 from the normal position and returning ofthe module 12 to the normal position using the module driving mechanism166 can be performed through an operational input to an operation panel14 of the module 12 by an operator. Note that, with the drawing-out ofthe module 12 by the operational input, the module 12 moves from thenormal position to a position frontward by a set distance, that is, to aset drawn-out position to be described below. Further, in the presentsystem, the rack bar 160 constituting the module driving mechanism 166is a module-side component disposed in the bed 22 as a movable bed andthe motor 162 and the pinion 164 are base-side components disposed inthe base 10. Furthermore, the bed 22 as the movable bed is onemodularized including the rack bar 160 as a module-side component. Notethat, the module driving mechanism may also be configured such that therack bar is disposed in the base 10 as a base-side component and themotor and the pinion are disposed in the module 12 as a module-sidecomponents. In addition, in the present system, four module drivingmechanisms are provided corresponding to the four modules 12; however,one or more module driving mechanisms may be provided corresponding toonly some of the four modules 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rearward drawing-out of the module 12 isperformed using a transfer cart 170. As shown in FIG. 16, the transfercart 170 is configured to include a base 172, a frame 176 which issupported on the base 172 and to which a pair of rails 174 are fixed, agrip 178 which is gripped by an operator when the transfer cart 170 ismoved, and three casters 180 for making the transfer cart 170 movable.As shown in FIG. 8, beside the base 10 on the rear side, the transfercart 170 is fixed to extend the track defined by one of the four railpairs 150 provided on the base 10. The pair of rails 174 havesubstantially the same cross-sectional shape as the pair of rails 152provided on the base 10 and the interval between the rails in theright-left direction is equal to the interval between the pair of rails152; specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the transfer cart 170 is set tothe base 10 such that the pair of rails 174 extend the pair of rails152. Note that, the frame 176 can move in the right-left direction withrespect to the base 172 and rotation of an adjustment wheel 182 causesthe frame 176 to move in the right-left direction by a ball screwmechanism (not shown). In other words, a rail position adjustingmechanism 184, which adjusts the position of the pair of rails 174 inthe right-left direction, is configured to include the wheel 182, theball screw mechanism, and a structure in which the frame 176 can movewith respect to the base 172 and the rail position adjusting mechanismcan perform alignment of the pair of rails 174 to the pair of rails 152in the right-left direction in a state in which the transfer cart 170 isfixed using the adjusting mechanism 184.

The transfer cart 170 may be used when the module 12 is drawn out to theextent that only a part of the module 12 is mounted on the transfer cart170, or may be used when the module 12 is drawn out so as to be detachedfrom the base 10 and the entire module 12 is mounted on the transfercart 170. In the latter case, the transfer cart 170 is moved, andthereby it is possible to easily transfer the mounted module 12. On theother hand, the transfer cart 170, on which the module 12 is mounted,can be fixed beside the base 10 and the module 12 can be drawn on thebase 10, and thereby the module 12 can be disposed on the base 10. Inother words, the transfer cart 170 can be effectively used duringreplacement of the module 12, or the like. Further, in the presentsystem, the transfer cart 170 is used for rearward drawing-out of themodule 12; however, the present system can employ a transfer cartsuitable for frontward drawing-out.

A module moving device 190 is provided in the transfer cart 170 for easydrawing-out and drawing-in of the module 12. To describe with referenceto FIG. 16, at the center of the frame 176 in the right-left direction,a threaded rod 192, on which male threads are formed, is rotatablysupported so as to extend frontward and rearward and a movable member194, which holds a nut that is screwed with the threaded rod 192 andmoves frontward and rearward along with rotation of the threaded rod192, is provided. The movable member 194 functions as a movableengagement body which detachably engages with a rear end surface of thebed 22 of the module 12 and the threaded rod 192 is rotated by a wheel196 in a state in which the movable member 194 engages with the bed 22,and thereby the module 12 moves frontward and rearward. In other words,the module moving device 190 is configured to include the threaded rod192, the movable member 194, the wheel 196, or the like, and an operatorcan easily perform the drawing-out and retracting of the module 12 withhuman power using the module moving device 190.

Further, a locking member 198 is provided on the top surface of theframe 176 of the transfer cart 170 at an intermediate position betweenthe pair of rails 174 in the right-left direction so as to extend in thefront-rear direction. The locking member 198 has substantially a T shapein the cross section. As shown in FIG. 14B, a slot 200 (to be describedbelow in detail) having substantially an inverted triangular shape inthe cross section is formed in the lower section of the bed 22 of themodule 12 so as to penetrate the bed in the front-rear direction and thelocking member 198 is inserted into the slot 200 when the module 12 isdrawn out rearward. The module 12 is reliably stabilized due to theinsertion of the locking member 198 when the module 12 is mounted on thetransfer cart 170.

[D] Fixing of Working Machine Module to Base

The present system includes a module fixing mechanism by which themodule 12 is fixed to the base. The module fixing mechanism is providedfor each of the modules 12. In addition, the module fixing mechanism hasa function of fixing the module 12 to the base 10 at multiple positions(hereinafter, referred to as a “fixing position” in some cases) set forthe module 12 in the intersecting direction. Hereinafter, the structureand functions of the module fixing mechanism will be described.

As shown in FIG. 13, a number of locking rod operating devices 210corresponding to the number of modules 12 to be mounted is provided onthe base 10. To be more particular, four locking rod operating devices210 are provided in the base unit 16 on which two modules 12 aremounted. In other words, two locking rod operating devices 210 arearranged lined up in the front-rear direction with respect to one module12.

As shown in FIG. 17, the locking rod operating device 210 is configuredto include an actuator 212, a locking rod 216 having a rod head 214 witha shape of an inverted circular truncated cone at the top portion, and arod lifting and lowering device 218 which lifts and lowers the lockingrod 216. The actuator 212 is configured to include a cylindrical housing220, a piston (not shown) which can slide frontward and rearward insidethe housing 220, and a piston rod 222 which is connected to the pistonand extends out from the housing 220, and the actuator has a structurein which compressed air force causes the piston rod 222 to extend andretract. The rod lifting and lowering device 218 is configured toinclude a wedge rod 228 which is held in the housing 220 to be movablefrontward and rearward and has a wedge surface 226 in an intermediateportion, a lifting and lowering piece 234 which is fastened at the lowerend portion in the locking rod 216 by a collar 230 and a bolt 232 andmoves vertically so as to cause the locking rod 216 to move vertically,and a spring 236 which elastically supports the lifting and loweringpiece 234 from below. An elongated hole 238, which penetrates the wedgesurface 226 vertically and extends frontward and rearward, is formed inthe wedge rod 228 and the locking rod 216 has a top portion includingthe rod head 214 which extends out from the housing 220 in a state inwhich the locking rod 216 penetrates through the elongated hole 238. Thefront end of the piston rod 222 of the actuator 212 is connected to therear end of the wedge rod 228 such that the wedge rod 228 movesfrontward and rearward in response to extension and retraction of thepiston rod 222. The lifting and lowering piece 234 has a shape with asurface which is in contact with the wedge surface 226 of the wedge rod228 so as to be lifted and lowered in response to the movement of thewedge rod 228 in the front-rear direction and the locking rod 216 whichis fastened to the lifting and lowering piece 234 is also lifted andlowered. In other words, operation of the actuator 212 causes thelocking rod 216 to be lifted and lowered. To put it specifically, thestate shown in FIG. 17 is a state in which the piston rod 222 extendsforward and in which the force of the spring 236 causes the locking rod216 to be lifted. As shown in two-dot chain line in the drawing, theretraction of the piston rod 222 causes the locking rod 216 to belowered against the force of the spring 236. Further, the two lockingrod operating devices 210 are operated simultaneously such that the twolocking rods 216 are lifted and lowered simultaneously.

To describe with reference to FIG. 14C, the slot 200 which penetratesthe bed in the front-rear direction is formed in the bed 22 of themodule 12 as described above, and the rod head 214 of the locking rod216 is positioned inside the slot 200 when the module 12 is mounted onthe base 10. In the case where the locking rod 216 is lifted, thelocking rod 216 is not engaged with the slot 200 and the module 12enters into a state of being movable frontward and rearward along thetrack described above, on the base 10. The slot 200 has a recess 244,which is a recess having a tapered surface 242 with a shape matchingwith a tapered surface 240 of the rod head 214, formed at apredetermined position, and the tapered surface 240 of the rod head 214exactly fits with the tapered surface 242 of the recess 244 when thelocking rod 216 is lowered when the rod head 214 is positioned at theposition. In this state, the locking rod 216 engages with the recess244, that is, the module 12 such that the module 12 is fixed on the base10. In other words, the module 12 is inhibited from moving along thetrack described above. Note that, the locking rod operating device 210as a locking-portion operating device biases the locking rod 216 as alocking portion toward the recess 244 as a lock performing portion by aforce of the actuator 212 and the module fixing mechanism fixes themodule 12 to the base 10 in a state in which the module is pressedagainst the base.

As described above, the two locking rod operating devices 210 areprovided on the base 10 for one module 12 and as shown in FIG. 15, tworecesses 244 are provided corresponding to the respective locking rods216 of the two locking rod operating devices 210 at intermediatepositions of the slot 200 in the front-rear direction. An arrangementinterval L between the two recesses 244 in the front-rear direction isequal to an arrangement interval L between the two locking rods 216 inthe front-rear direction. In addition, to describe further withreference to the schematic view in FIG. 18, in the drawing, the “⋆”represent the position of the two recesses 244 provided in the module 12and the positions of the two locking rods 216 provided on the base 10,and the two recesses 244 are locked by the two locking rods 216,respectively, when the module 12 is positioned at the normal position.In contrast, as shown by the two-dot chain line, in a case where themodule 12 is drawn out frontward by a predetermined distance L, that is,in a case where the module is drawn out frontward by a distance equal tothe arrangement interval L, described above, of the two recesses 244,the recess 244 on the rear side can be locked by the locking rod 216 onthe front side; and in a case where the module 12 is drawn out rearwardby the predetermined distance L, the recess 244 on the front side can belocked by the locking rod 216 on the rear side. Accordingly, in thepresent system, the module 12 can be fixed to the base 10 not only atthe normal position, but also at two drawn-out positions set accordingto the frontward drawing-out and the rearward drawing-out, respectively.In other words, the module 12 can be fixed to three fixing positions.

As understood from the above description, the recess 244 described abovefunctions as the locked portion provided in the module 12 and thelocking rod 216 described above functions as the locking portionprovided in the base 10; in addition, the locking rod operating device210 functions as a locking-portion operating device provided in the base10, that is, a device that operates the locking rod in order to switchbetween the state in which the recess 244 is locked by the locking rod216 and the state in which the recess 244 is not locked by the lockingrod 216. In the present system, the module fixing mechanism describedabove is configured to include two recesses 244 which function as lockedportions, respectively, the two locking rods 216 which function aslocking portions, respectively, and the two locking rod operatingdevices 210 which function as the locking portion operating devices,respectively. That is, the module fixing mechanism in the present systemis configured to include the two recesses 244 as module-side components,and the two locking rods 216 and the two locking rod operating devices210 as base-side components; and the bed 22 as the movable bed ismodularized including the two recesses 244 as module-side components.Further, as described above, since the module fixing mechanism fixes themodule 12 to the base 10 in the state in which the module is pressedagainst the base, the module fixing mechanism is a pressing type fixingmechanism. Note that, the present system employs a module fixingmechanism in which the locked portion is provided as a module-sidecomponent in the module 12 and the locking portion and thelocking-portion operating device are provided as base-side components inthe base 10; however, the present system can employ a module fixingmechanism in which the locked portion is provided as a base-sidecomponent in the base 10 and the locking portion and the locking-portionoperating device are provided as module-side components in the module12. In addition, in the present system, four module fixing mechanismsare provided corresponding to the four modules 12; however, one or moremodule fixing mechanisms may be provided corresponding to only a portionof the four modules.

[E] Disposal of Coolant and Shavings

Since the module 12 is a lathe module, when the cutting process isperformed on a work, the cutting process is performed while a coolant(referred to as a “cutting fluid” in some cases) is applied. Inaddition, in the cutting process, shavings (referred to as “cut chips”in some cases) are generated. Accordingly, it is necessary to performdisposal of the coolant and shavings. It is also necessary to performthe same disposal of the coolant and shavings in a case where the module12 is a machining module such as the drilling machine/milling machinemodule described above. Hereinafter, a special configuration that takesaccount of the coolant and shavings will be described.

As shown in FIG. 19, a built-in coolant tank 250 that contains thecoolant is provided inside the base 10. FIG. 20 is a sectional viewshowing the base 10 in which the built-in coolant tank 250 is providedand one module 12 mounted on the base 10. The cut plane in the sectionalview is a plane which is positioned in front of the spindle 32 providedin the module 12 and which is orthogonal to the shaft line of thespindle 32, that is, orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and also aplane dividing the operating space (hereinafter, referred to as an“operating space WS” in some cases), described above, in which thecutting process is performed, into two front and rear sections. In thedrawing, only one base unit 16 is described, one built-in coolant tank250 is provided in one base unit, and two built-in coolant tanks 250 areprovided in the entire base 10.

In the module 12, an operating space housing 254 surrounding theoperating space WS described above is formed from a portion of externalpanels on the front side and a lower panel 252 provided in the bed 22 onthe front side, and the module 12 is modularized including the operatingspace housing 254. Note that, the lower panel 252 is supported by aframe 256 attached to the bed 22 at the front end (refer to FIG. 9).Also, in FIG. 20, a base beam 262 and a guide 264 of a work loader 260to be described below are shown in a simplified manner, on the rightside of the lower panel 252. The coolant is released from a coolantnozzle (not shown) to the work rotating by the spindle 32 and thecutting process of the work is performed while the coolant is beingreleased. Also, shavings are generated due to the cutting process. Theoperating space housing 254 effectively prevents the released coolantand generated shavings from flying to the outside, particularly fromflying out to the right and left sides. The released coolant andshavings drop downward in the operating space WS through an opening 270provided in the lower panel 252 and are contained in the coolant tank250 provided inside the base 10. Further, in order to perform effectiveguiding of the coolant and the shavings to the coolant tank 250, thelower panel 252 has a shape that becomes narrower closer to the lowerside. In other words, a tapered surface 272 is provided in the lowerpanel 252.

A reception tube 274 which has a tubular shape and functions as areception port through which the coolant and shavings are received intothe coolant tank 250 is provided on the top surface of the base 10(refer to FIG. 13). To be more particular, an opening 276 is provided inthe top surface of the base 10 and the reception tube 274 is providedsuch that the lower end of the reception tube is inserted into theopening 276. In addition, when the module 12 is positioned at the normalposition, the reception tube 274 enters into a state in which the upperend thereof is positioned above the opening 270 of the lower panel 252.Such a reception tube 274 efficiently guides the coolant and shavingsinto the inside of the base 10, that is, without spilling over the topsurface of the base 10. Further, a pair of guide plates 278 are providedinside the base 10 in order to prevent the coolant and shavings whichhave passed through the reception tube 274 from spilling to the outsideof the coolant tank 250 on the right and left sides.

A reception plate 280 which receives the dropping coolant and shavingsis provided in the coolant tank 250. Since the reception plate 280 has apair of inclined surfaces 282, of which the top surface is declined fromboth right and left sides toward the center and the reception plate hasa shape having a recessed portion 284 at the center portion, thedropping coolant and shavings are gathered in the recessed portion 284at the center along the inclined surfaces 282. Although not shown,multiple small holes are provided are formed in a section in which therecessed portion 284 is formed in the reception plate 280, and thus onlythe coolant passes through the reception plate 280. A screw 286 isprovided extending in the front-rear direction in the recessed portion284, and thus rotation of the screw 286 causes the shavings remaining onthe reception plate 280 to move rearward. To describe with reference toFIG. 19, the coolant tank 250 sticks out rearward from the base 10 and adischarge duct 290 is provided in the sticking-out rear end portion. Theshavings which have been moved rearward by the screw 286 are dischargedto the rear side of the system through the discharge duct 290. In otherwords, a screw conveyor 292 (a type of chip conveyor) which functions asa shaving discharge device is configured to include the screw 286, thedischarge duct 290, or the like, and the screw conveyor 292 dischargesthe shavings from a side surface of the base 10, to be more particular,from the rearward side surface. Further, a shavings collecting box 294with wheels attached is provided below the rear end of the dischargeduct 290 for example, and thereby it is possible to easily transport thedischarged shavings. The coolant contained in the coolant tank 250 ispumped up by a pump (not shown) and is again released from the coolantnozzle described above. In other words, in the system, the coolant is tobe circulated.

In the present system, one coolant tank 250 is provided for one baseunit 16, that is, one coolant tank 250 is provided for two modules 12;however, a configuration, in which one coolant tank is provided for eachmodule 12, or one coolant tank is provided for the entire base 10, maybe employed. Similarly, one shavings discharge device may be providednot only for one base unit 16, but also be provided for each module 12.Further, as the shavings discharge device, various types of dischargedevices such as a chip conveyor having a structure in which a metal netcircles around, instead of the screw conveyor 292, or the like, may beemployed. Further, in the present system, the screw conveyor 292 as theshavings discharge device is configured to discharge the shavings in oneof both directions opposite to each other in the intersecting direction,to be more particular, rearward as a direction on the side opposite tothe operating space WS. Accordingly, there is no need to position theshavings collecting box described above beside the base 10 in thearrangement direction, thus it is possible to shorten the system lengthof the entire system including the box.

As described above, the module 12 can be drawn out from the base 10.Therefore, as understood from FIG. 20, the lower panel 252 of the module12 interferes with the reception tube 274 when the module 12 is drawnout with the reception tube 274 in the state shown on the left side inthe drawing. Therefore, in the present system, in order to avoid theinterference when the module 12 is drawn out, a mechanism, which causesthe reception tube 274 shown on the left side to enter into the state ofthe reception tube 274 shown on the right side in the drawing, isprovided. In other words, a reception tube lifting and loweringmechanism as a reception port retracting mechanism which causes thereception tube 274 functioning as the reception port to retract isprovided for each module 12. This mechanism causes the reception tube274 to retract downward when the module 12 is drawn out from the normalposition.

To describe in detail with reference to FIG. 21, the reception tube 274is supported to be interposed, from the right and left sides, by a pairof parallel link mechanisms 306 which are each configured to include adrive arm 300, a driven arm 302, and a link bar 304 which connects thedrive arm and the driven arm. Base end portions of the drive arm 300 andthe driven arm 302 are rotatably supported on the bracket 308 attachedto the top surface of the base 10 and distal end portions thereofsupport a rail member 312 attached on the side surface of the receptiontube 274 via a roller 310. The drive arm 300 has substantially an Lshape and the other distal end portion is attached to the connectionblock 316 having an elongated hole 314 so as to be movable along theelongated hole 314. As described above, two locking rod operatingdevices 210 constituting the module fixing mechanism are provided on thetop surface of the base 10 (refer to FIG. 13) and the connection block316 is fixed to the distal end of the wedge rod 228 which is has by, ofthe two locking rod operating devices 210, the one provided on thefrontward side.

The state shown in FIG. 21 represents the state in which the fixing ofthe module 12 is released and the reception tube 274 is lifted as shownin the two-dot chain line in the drawing through an operation of thelocking rod operating device 210 which fixes the module 12. Thereception tube 274 on the left side in FIG. 20 shows a state in whichthe reception tube 274 is lifted in this manner. Conversely, in a statein which the reception tube 274 is lifted, the locking rod operatingdevice 210 which releases the fixing of the module 12 is operated, andthereby the reception tube 274 such as a reception tube 274 on the rightside in FIG. 20 is lowered to a position at which the lower panel 252 ofthe module 12 does not interfere the reception tube when the module 12is drawn out. In other words, in the present system, a reception tubelifting and lowering mechanism 318 is configured to include the parallellink mechanism 306, the block 316, the locking rod operating device 210,or the like, to be linked to the release of the fixing of the module 12by the module fixing mechanism, and to cause the reception tube 274 as areception port to be retracted. In the present system, such a mechanismcauses the reception tube 274 to automatically retract by an operationfor releasing the fixing of the module 12. Note that, although detaileddescription is omitted, in a case where the module 12 is fixed at thedrawn-out position on the frontward side described above, the receptiontube 274 is lifted; however, in this case too, the reception tube 274 isconfigured not to interfere with the bed 22 of the module 12. Further,since the reception tube lifting and lowering mechanism 320 as thereception port retracting mechanism and the actuator 212 as a drivesource in the module fixing mechanism are commonly used, the mechanismsare simplified in their structure.

Further, in the present system, as shown in FIG. 22, an expandablecoolant receiver 320 which receives the dropped coolant is provided inconsideration of the fact that, when the module 12 is drawn outfrontward, the coolant remaining in the operating space of the module 12drops as droplets from the opening 270, described above, of the module12. The coolant receiver 320 includes a sheet 322 as a main component.The sheet 322 is wound around a shaft (not shown) and the shaft isrotatably supported by a support member 324 provided upright at thefront end of the base 10. The end of the wound sheet 322 is caught atthe front end of the frame 256 which supports the lower panel 252 inwhich the opening 270 is provided. Note that, FIG. 13 shows a mode inwhich the wound sheet 322 is provided at a portion of the base unit 16on the left front side. The sheet 322 is biased by a force of a spring(not shown) so as to enter into a winding state. In other words, theshaft is biased in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing. In acase where the module 12 is drawn out frontward, the sheet 322 isstretched in response to the frontward movement of the frame 256 againstthe power of the spring and the sheet is expanded to cover the opening270 below the frame 256. The expanded sheet 322 enters into a state ofbeing lowered as close to the rearward side and the coolant dropped fromthe opening 270 drops to reach the top surface of the base 10 along thetop surface of the sheet 322. The coolant dropped along the base 10 isguided to the coolant tank 250 from a hole 326 provided in the topsurface of the base 10. Note that, FIG. 13 shows the hole 326 in aportion of the base unit 16 on the right front side on which the woundsheet 322 is omitted.

In a case where the module 12 returns to the normal position, theextended sheet 322 is wound due to the force of the spring describedabove, in response to the rearward movement of the module 12. Further,with the present coolant receiver 320, in a case where the module 12 iscaused to move rearward from the normal position, the end of the woundsheet 322 is released from the frame 256. Note that, the present coolantreceiver 320 has the structure, described above, in which the sheet 322is the main component; however, as the expandable coolant receiver, itis possible to employ a structure in which a plate, a pan, or the like,approaches frontward along with the drawing out of the module 12.

[F] Transport of Work Between Modules and Transfer of Work to OperationPosition in Module

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present system, a work transporting device350 that transports a work is provided on a side surface of the base 10,to be more particular, on a side surface on the frontward side on theside on which the operating space described above exists. The worktransporting device 350 transports the work to the respective modules 12and loads the work on the module 12 on the leftmost side (upstreamside), transports the work between the respective modules 12, andunloads the work from the module 12 on the rightmost side (downstreamside). In the drawings, only the portion of the work transporting device350 disposed on the side surface on the frontward side of the base unit16 on the left side is shown; however, the same portion (to be describedbelow) also exists on the side surface on the frontward side of the baseunit 16 on the right side. In other words, in the present system, thework transporting device 350 is configured to include two transportdevice units 352 corresponding to the two base units 16 and each of thetwo base units 16 is modularized (as a unit) incorporating one transportdevice unit 352 which is a part of the work transporting device 350.Hereinafter, the transport device units 352 provided in the base unit 16on the left side and in the base unit 16 on the right side,respectively, are sometimes referred to as a left-side transport deviceunit 352L and a right-side transport device unit 352R. Also, a workinverting device 354 to be described below is provided in the worktransporting device 350.

As shown in FIG. 23, the left-side transport device unit 352L isconfigured to include a movable base 356, three work beds 358 on whichworks are mounted, respectively, and three work bed lifting and loweringdevices 360 which are supported by the movable base 356 and each ofwhich causes the corresponding bed of the three work beds 358 to belifted and lowered. Note that, in FIG. 23, the work inverting device 354described above is omitted. The movable base 356 can move in thearrangement direction (right-left direction), described above, along apair of guide rails 362 which are fixed to the side surface on thefrontward side of the base 10 and is caused to move in the arrangementdirection by an actuator (in the drawing, hidden behind the movable base356) provided on the rearward side of the movable base 356. The actuatoris a cylinder type which operates using compressed air force, and a workbed moving device 364, which causes the work bed 358 to move in thearrangement direction, is configured to include the actuator, the guiderail 362, and so on.

The three work beds 358 and the three work bed lifting and loweringdevices 360 are arranged at equal intervals in the arrangement directionat the same pitch as the arrangement pitch of the modules 12. The workbeds (corresponding work beds) at the center and on the right side ofthe three work beds 358 correspond to the module 12 on the most rightside and the second module 12 from the right, and the work bed on theleft side is an added work bed (additional work bed) which is providedat an extended position on the left side from the base 10. Further,although not shown, the right-side transport device unit 352R does nothave the additional work bed and has the movable base 356 with a shorterdimension in the right-left direction according to the state.Accordingly, five work beds 358 are provided in the entire system andthe work transporting device 350 is configured to have the five workbeds 358 which are arranged at equal intervals at the same pitch as thearrangement pitch described above in the arrangement direction.

The work bed lifting and lowering device 360 is configured to include alifting and lowering base 366, a lifting and lowering actuator 368 whichis fixed to the movable base 356 and causes the lifting and loweringbase 366 to be lifted and lowered, a pair of guide rods 370 which isheld to the lifting and lowering base 366 so as to be vertically movableand is fixed to the work bed 358 at the upper end, and a work bedvertical-moving mechanism 372 which is provided in the lifting andlowering base 366 and causes the work bed 358 to vertically move withrespect to the lifting and lowering base 366. The work bedvertical-moving mechanism 372 is configured to include a threaded rod374, a nut (not shown) which is screwed with the threaded rod 374, and amotor 376 which rotates the nut, and the work bed vertical-movingmechanism 372 is provided as a movement mechanism which uses a so-calledball screw mechanism.

The lifting and lowering actuator 368 lifts and lowers the base 366 bythe force of the compressed air and the lifting so as to selectivelymove the base between two positions, the upper end position and thelower end position with respect to the movable base 356. On the otherhand, the work bed vertical-moving mechanism 372 can position the workbed 358 at any position between the upper end portion and the lower endposition with respect to the lifting and lowering base 366 bycontrolling the motor. Note that, in FIG. 23, the states respectivelyshown are: for the work bed lifting and lowering device 360 on the leftside, the lifting and lowering base 366 is positioned at the lower endposition described above and the work bed 358 is also positioned at thelower end position described above; for the work bed lifting andlowering device 360 at the center, the lifting and lowering base 366 ispositioned at the lower end position described above and the work bed358 is positioned at the upper end position described above; and for thework bed lifting and lowering device 360 on the right side, the liftingand lowering base 366 is positioned at the upper end position describedabove and the work bed 358 is positioned at the lower end positiondescribed above.

In such a configuration described above, the lifting and loweringactuator 368 functions as a first lifting and lowering device and thework bed vertical-moving mechanism 372 functions as a second lifting andlowering device, and, as shown in FIG. 24, the work bed lifting andlowering device 360 is a two-stage type lifting and lowering devicewhich causes the work bed 358 to be lifted and lowered at two stages,that is, a so-called telescopic type lifting and lowering device. InFIG. 24, St1 represents a lifting and lowering stroke of the lifting andlowering base 366 by the lifting and lowering actuator 368 and St2represents a lifting and lowering stroke of the work bed 358 by the workbed vertical-moving mechanism 372. The difference between the heightlevel (hereinafter, referred to as the “lowest position” in some cases)of the work bed 358 in a case where both the lifting and lowering base366 and the work bed 358 are positioned at the lower end positiondescribed above and the height level (hereinafter, referred to as the“uppermost position” in some cases) of the work bed 358 in a state inwhich both beds are positioned at the upper end position described abovebecomes the total stroke (St1+St2) of the work bed 358 by thecorresponding work bed lifting and lowering device 360 and the totalstroke is relatively large. As described above, since the module 12 canbe drawn out frontward from the base 10, the top surface of the work bed358 is positioned below the top surface of the base 10 at the lowestposition; however, the total stroke is large, and thereby, at theuppermost position, the work bed 358 can lift the work W5 to a heightsufficient for the work W5 to be delivered with the work loader 260 tobe described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the left-side transport device unit 352L, a workinverting device 354 is attached to the work bed lifting and loweringdevice 360 at the center. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 25, thework inverting device 354 includes, as a main component, a clamp 384which is configured to include a pair of gripping claws 380 and a clawoperating actuator 382 which causes the pair of gripping claws 380 toapproach and be separated from each other, and the work inverting deviceincludes a clamp rotating actuator 386 which rotates the clamp 384 by180° by the force of compressed air, and a clamp lifting and loweringactuator 388 which lifts and lowers the clamp 384 by a predetermineddistance by the force of compressed air. The clamp lifting and loweringactuator 388 is fixed to the lifting and lowering base 366 of the workbed lifting and lowering device 360 via an attachment tool 390 and thework inverting device 354 is lifted and lowered along with the liftingand lowering base 366 by the clamp lifting and lowering actuator 388.Further, in a state in which the clamp 384 is opened, the work bed 358can pass between the pair of gripping claws 380. In addition, the pairof gripping claws 380 can be replaced with appropriate claws accordingto the shape or dimension of the work to be inverted.

To describe the inverting of the work in detail with reference to FIG.26, in a case where the work W6 is inverted, first, from a state (FIG.26A) in which the work bed 358, on which the work W6 is mounted, ispositioned at the lower end position described above with respect to thelifting and lowering base 366, the clamp lifting and lowering actuator388 lifts the open clamp 384 (FIG. 26B) by the predetermined distancedescribed above. Subsequently, the work bed vertical-moving mechanism372 lifts the work bed 358 to an appropriate position, for example, to aposition at which the clamp 384 can grip the center of the work W6 inthe height direction (FIG. 26C). Next, after the clamp 384 grips thework W6, the work bed vertical-moving mechanism 372 lowers the work bed358 to the lower end position described above and the clamp rotatingactuator 386 rotates the work W6 by 180° (FIG. 26D). Then, the work bedvertical-moving mechanism 372 lifts the work bed 358 to an appropriateposition, that is, a position at which the top surface of the work bed358 comes into contact with the lower end surface of the work W6, andthe gripping by the clamp 384 is released (FIG. 26E). Then, the clamplifting and lowering actuator 388 lowers the open clamp 384 by thepredetermined distance described above and the inverting of the work W6is completed (FIG. 26F). Further, in FIG. 26F, the work bed 358 islowered; however, after the inversion of the work W6, the work bed 358may be lifted in a case where the work W6 is supplied to a cuttingprocess by the module 12, or the like. That completes description ofcooperation between the work inverting device 354 and the work bedlifting and lowering device 360 related to the inversion of the work.

The above described the left-side transport device unit 352L; todescribe the right-side transport device unit 352R with reference to theabove description and FIG. 27, it is possible to consider the right-sidetransport device unit 352R as an item from which the work bed 358 on theleft side which is an additional work bed provided in the left-sidetransport device unit 352L and the work bed lifting and lowering device360 which causes the work bed 358 to be lifted and lowered have beenremoved. In other words, the right-side transport device unit 352R isconfigured to include two work beds 358 which are corresponding workbeds and two work bed lifting and lowering devices 364 which cause thetwo work beds 358 to be lifted and lowered, respectively, and thedimension of the movable base 356 in the right-left direction is shorterby an amount of the removed one work bed 358 and one work bed liftingand lowering device 360. Accordingly, in the entire system, five workbeds 358 are provided and the five work beds 358 are configured to bearranged at equal intervals at the same pitch as the arrangement pitchdescribed above. Note that, the work inverting device 354 describedabove is attached only to the work bed lifting and lowering device 360on the right side in the right-side transport device unit 352R.

The work transporting device 350 has a configuration in which themovable base 356 of the left-side transport device unit 352L and themovable base 356 of the right-side transport device unit 352R aresynchronized and move by the same distance to the right and left sides.In other words, the work bed moving device 364 causes the five work beds358 to move together by a distance corresponding to the arrangementpitch described above. To be more particular, the work transportingdevice 350 has a configuration in which the two movable bases 356 andthe five work beds 358 provided on the movable bases reciprocate betweena position shown in FIG. 27A and a position shown in FIG. 27B. Notethat, in a state shown in FIG. 27A, each of the four corresponding workbeds 358 is positioned at a position (delivery position) which is set toperform delivery of the work W7 with respect to the corresponding module(hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a “corresponding module”) 12. Inother words, each work bed 358 is positioned at the home position. Incontrast, in a state shown in FIG. 27B, each of the three correspondingwork beds 358 on the upstream side (left side) is positioned at adelivery position with respect to the module (hereinafter, sometimesreferred to as a “downstream-side module”) 12 which performs the cuttingprocess on one work W7 after the corresponding module 12, and theadditional work bed 358 placed on the most upstream side is positionedat the delivery position with respect to the module 12 on the mostupstream side. Accordingly, the five work beds 358 are caused to move inthe right-left direction by a distance equal to the arrangement pitchdescribed above. Further, in the following description, the module 12which performs the cutting process on one work W7 before thecorresponding module 12 is sometimes referred to as an “upstream-sidemodule.”

The transport of the work by the work transporting device 350 isperformed through repeated realization of the state shown in FIG. 27Aand the state shown in FIG. 27B. To be more particular, in the stateshown in FIG. 27A, the work W7 is mounted on the additional work bed 358placed on the most upstream side from a loader disposed on the outside,and the work W7 on which the cutting process has been performed by thecorresponding module 12 is mounted on each of the four correspondingwork beds 358 from the previous corresponding module. Subsequently, asin the state in FIG. 27B, the five work beds 358 are caused to move and,in this state, the work W7 mounted on the additional work bed 358 isdelivered to the module 12 positioned on the most upstream side, theworks W7 mounted on the three corresponding work beds 358 on theupstream side are delivered to the modules 12 on the downstream side,respectively, and the work W7 mounted on the corresponding work bed 358positioned on the most downstream side (right side) is delivered to anunloader disposed on the outside. Also, then, in a state in which thework W7 is not mounted on any of the work beds 358, the five work beds358 are caused to be positioned at a position shown in FIG. 27A. Inother words, returning to the home position is performed. Suchoperations are repeated, and thereby the multiple works are transportedin the system through the multiple modules 12 in order.

In the present system, the work transporting device 350 includes theadditional work bed 358 and the work bed lifting and lowering device 360which causes the additional work bed to be lifted and lowered, inaddition to the corresponding work bed 358 and the work bed lifting andlowering device 360 which causes the corresponding work bed to be liftedand lowered, on the upstream side; however, the additional work bed 358and the work bed lifting and lowering device 360 which causes theadditional work bed to be lifted and lowered may be provided on thedownstream side. In this case, it is possible to transport the work bythe same operation. In addition, the additional work bed 358 and thework bed lifting and lowering device 360 which causes the additionalwork bed to be lifted and lowered do not have to be provided. In thiscase, the work transporting device 350 has a configuration in which thefive work beds move by a distance corresponding to the arrangement pitchdescribed above on both the upstream side and downstream side withrespect to the home position, and thereby the work transporting device350 can load the work to the system, unload the work from the system,and transport the work between the modules 12.

In addition, in the present system, the work inverting device 354 isprovided with respect to each of the work bed 358 at the center of theleft-side transport device unit 352L and the work bed 358 on the leftside of the right-side transport device unit 352R (position of ★ in FIG.27). The work inverting device 354 provided in this manner can performthe inverting of the work between the cutting process by the module 12on the most left side and the cutting process by the second module 12from the left, and between the cutting process by the second module 12from the right and the cutting process by the module 12 on the mostright side. In other words, the work inverting device 354 may beprovided with respect to the work bed 358 corresponding to the positionat which the work is inverted. Further, the work inverting device 354may be provided with respect to each of all the corresponding work beds358, and thereby, even in a case where a position at which the work hasto be inverted is changed according to the change in the type of work,it is possible to support the change rapidly without replacing the workinverting device 354.

The work transported by the work transporting device 350 is carried outfrom the work bed 358 and is mounted on a chuck 46 attached to thespindle 32 of the module 12, by the work loader 260, described above,shown in FIG. 9. In addition, the work on which the process hascompleted in the module 12 is carried out from the chuck 46 and ismounted on the work bed 358 by the work loader 260. As shown in FIG. 28,the work loader 260 is configured to include the base beam 262,described above, which extends out frontward from the bed 22 and issupported on the bed 22, the guide 264, described above, supported bythe base beam 262, a slider 400 provided to be movable in the front-reardirection along the guide 264, a slider moving mechanism 402 whichcauses the slider 400 frontward and rearward, and a work holding device404 which is supported by the slider 400 and holds the work. A rail 406is laid out in the guide 264 and the slider 400 slides on the rail 406.The slider moving mechanism 402 is configured to include a motor 408supported on the base beam 262, a threaded rod 410 which is rotatablyprovided extending frontward and rearward on the base beam 262, and anut (not shown) which is held in the slider 400 and is screwed onto thethreaded rod 410. The nut and the threaded rod 410 are componentsconstituting a ball screw mechanism. Rotation of the motor 408 istransmitted by pulleys 412 and 414 and a belt 416, thereby the threadedrod 410 rotates, and the slider 400 moves in the front-rear directiondue to the rotation. The work holding device 404 includes a chuck table418 provided in the slider 400 to be rotatable around a shaft lineextending in the right-left direction, and two chucks 420 which arerespectively provided on two surfaces of the chuck table 418 which areopposite to each other and which hold the work. The chuck table 418 iscaused to rotate by a table rotating mechanism 424 which has a motor 422and is provided in the slider 400 and can have any rotating posture in arange of 360°.

Further, as understood from FIG. 29, the work holding device 404 isdisposed such that, in a state in which one of the two chucks 420 facesthe chuck 46, the shaft lines of the chucks match each other, and in astate in which one of the two chucks 420 faces a work bed 358 on theupper side of the work bed 358 positioned at the delivery positiondescribed above, the shaft lines thereof match. Hereinafter, attachmentand detachment of the work to and from the chuck 46 and delivery of thework between the module 12 and the work transporting device 350 will bedescribed, using an example, with reference to FIG. 29. Note that, theposition of the work holding device 404 in the latter state is sometimesreferred to as the delivery position according to the device 404.

In a case where a work (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a “processcompleted work”) W8 on which the process is completed is detached fromthe chuck 46, as shown in FIG. 29A, the work holding device 404 iscaused to move to an attachment and detachment position in the vicinityof the chuck 46 and receives the work W8 from the chuck 46 using one ofthe two chucks 420 which are provided in the work holding device. Atthis time, the other one of the two chucks 420 already holds the work(hereinafter, referred to as a “process uncompleted work” in some cases)W8 on which the process is about to be performed and the work holdingdevice 404 moves to a position slightly apart from the chuck 46 andcauses the chuck table 418 to rotate by 180° at the position afterreceiving the process completed work W8. Then, the work holding devicereturns to the attachment and detachment position and delivers theprocess uncompleted work W8 to the chuck 46. In this manner, since thedetachment of the process completed work W8 and the mounting of theprocess uncompleted work W8 are continually performed in a short time,the period of time for which the module 12 does not perform the processon the work becomes as short as possible.

In a case where the process completed work W8 is mounted on the work bed(corresponding work bed) 358 which is positioned at the deliveryposition, as shown in FIG. 29B, the work holding device 404 is caused tomove to the delivery position according to the corresponding workholding device 404 and the chuck table 418 is caused to rotate such thatthe process completed work W8 is positioned immediately under the workholding device 404. In this state, the work bed 358 is lifted to the setposition by the work bed lifting and lowering device 360 and themounting of the process completed work W8 on the work bed 358 isperformed. After the work bed 358 is lowered to the lower end position,the five work beds 358 provided in the system are caused to move alltogether to the downstream side by a distance corresponding to thearrangement pitch described above, by the work bed moving device 364. Asa result, the work bed (additional work bed or corresponding work bed ofthe module on the upstream side) 358, on which the process completedwork W8 is mounted, becomes positioned at the delivery position. In thisstate, the work bed 358 is lifted to the set position, and thereby theprocess uncompleted work W8 mounted on the work bed 358 is held by thework holding device 404. In this manner, the deliveries of the processcompleted work W8 and the process uncompleted work W8 are continuallyperformed between the module 12 and the work transporting device 350.Further, the module 12 performs the process on the work W8 mounted inthe chuck 46 between the deliveries.

Further, when the operation of the work loader 260 described above isconsidered, the work loader 260 functions as a work transferring devicewhich performs transferring of the work mounted on the work bed 358 tothe position at which the cutting process is performed, that is,transferring to the operation position, and performs transferring of thework to the work bed 358 from the operation position.

[G] Arrangement of Module and Variations of Module

In the system according to the present disclosure, a concept of an“arrangement region” related to an arrangement of the modules on thebase is employed. As shown in FIG. 30, an arrangement region R is avirtual space, set to be demarcated on the base B, which can beconsidered as a unit space which defines a space in which the module Mis disposed. As understood from FIG. 30, the arrangement regions R arearranged in parallel in the arrangement direction without an intervalsuch that the arrangement regions are adjoining each other. When a widthof the arrangement region R is referred to as a region width WR, theregion widths WR of the respective arrangement regions R are all to beequal.

FIG. 30 is a view showing the system described above in which the fourmodules 12 are arranged on the base 10, the four arrangement regions Rare set on the base 10, and one module 12 is disposed on each of thearrangement regions R. Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, in a casewhere the width of the module is a module width WM, in the systemdescribed above, the module width WM of each of the modules 12 issubstantially equal to the region width WR of the arrangement region R(to be more exact, the module width WM is slightly smaller than theregion width WR) and, as described above, the four modules 12 arearranged to be closely adjacent to each other. Each of the modules 12occupies only one arrangement region R without protruding into anadjacent arrangement region R. Accordingly, it is possible to considereach of the modules 12 as a “single region occupying module.” Further,it is possible to consider the “arrangement pitch” of the four modules12 as an interval in the arrangement direction between the centers ofthe modules 12 in the width direction and the arrangement pitch P of themodules 12 in the system described above is equal to the interval in thearrangement direction between the centers of the arrangement region R inthe width direction, that is, the region width WR.

Describing the system above with reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG.13, four rail pairs 150, each of which is configured of one pair ofrails 152 on which one pair of wheels 20 provided in each of the modules12 circle around, are provided corresponding to the four modules 12, andthe four rail pairs 150 are arranged on the four arrangement regions Rrespectively in the base 10. In other words, a track forming member,which forms a track along which the module 12 is drawn out, is providedfor each arrangement region R. In addition, a module driving motor 162,a pinion 164, and so on, which are a base-side components whichconfigure the module driving mechanism 166 described above,corresponding to the four arrangement regions R, are disposed on thebase 10 in each of the four arrangement regions R. Similarly, thelocking rod 216, the locking rod operating device 210, and so on, whichare base-side components that configure the module fixing mechanismdescribed above, corresponding to the four arrangement regions R, aredisposed on the base 10 in each of the four arrangement regions R. Notethat, in the system described above, the base 10 is configured of theplurality of, to be more particular, two base units 16 and the multiple,to be more particular, two arrangement regions R are set for each of thebase units 16 without dividing any arrangement region R. Furthermore,the work bed 358 provided in the work transporting device 350 describedabove is also provided corresponding to each arrangement region R. Inother words, the corresponding work bed 358 described above is providedfor each arrangement region R.

The rail pair 150, base-side components of the module driving mechanism166, and base-side components of the module fixing mechanism areprovided on the base 10 for each arrangement region R, and with respectthis, as described above, in the module 12, two pairs of wheels 20,module-side components of the module driving mechanism 166, andmodule-side components of the module fixing mechanism are provided inthe bed 22 as the movable bed (refer to FIG. 15). The rail pair 150, thebase-side components of the module driving mechanism 166, and thebase-side components of the module fixing mechanism have the sameconfiguration for each of the arrangement regions R and corresponding tothat, the beds 22 of the four modules 12 have the same dimension, shape,and structure as each other. In other words, the bed 22 on which the twopairs of wheels 20, the module-side components of the module drivingmechanism 166, and the module fixing mechanism are provided, has commonspecification sand configuration, that is, the bed 22 is modularized tohave a common configuration. Thanks to this common configuration, in thepresent system, it is possible to easily prepare various types ofmodules which can be arranged on the base 10 by fixing another type ofworking machine body to the bed 22 instead of a lathe body 24.

In the system described above, four arrangement regions R are set on thebase 10; however, an appropriate system can be achieved so long as twoor more arrangement regions R are set. In addition, in the systemdescribed above, the base 10 is configured of multiple, specifically,two base units 16; however, one base may be configured of three or morebase units BU. Further, in a case of employing multiple base units, asthe system described above, it is desirable that multiple arrangementregions R are set for each of the multiple base units.

As a rule, the arrangement region R is set such that two or more modulesM or a part thereof do not coexist in that region R. In accordance withthis rule, in the system described above, as described above, only onemodule 12 exists in each arrangement region R and the four modules 12provided in the system are all the single region occupying modulecontained in one arrangement region R. As an alternative embodiment ofthe system which differs from such a system, a system may be created inwhich, instead of the single region occupying module M, a module M′occupying multiple arrangement regions R, that is, a multi-regionoccupying module M′ is arranged as shown in FIG. 31A. In the systemshown in FIG. 31A, specifically, the module M′ mounted on the base unitsBU on the right side which configure the base B is a module occupyingtwo arrangement regions R. In the system, the three modules M and M′ aredisposed to be closely adjacent to each other and the module width WM′of the module M′ is approximately a multiple of, specifically, twice,the module width WM of the module M.

In a case where the multi-region occupying module is disposed, forexample, one of the pair of wheels 20 which is provided in the modulemay circle around on one of the pair of rails 152 constituting the railpair 150 provided corresponding to one of the multiple arrangementregions R occupied by the module, and the other rail may circle aroundone of the pair of rails 152 constituting the rail pair 150 providedcorresponding to another of the multiple arrangement regions R occupiedby the module. Specifically, in the system shown in FIG. 31A, the one onthe left side of the pair of wheels 20 provided in the module M′occupying two arrangement regions circles around the rail on the leftside of the pair of rails 152 constituting the rail pair 150 providedcorresponding to left side arrangement region of the two arrangementregions R occupied by the module M′, and the one on the right side ofthe pair of wheels 20 circles around the rail on the right side of thepair of rails 152 constituting the rail pair 150 provided correspondingto the right side arrangement region of the two arrangement regions R.In short, the pair of wheels 20 circle around the two rails on the outerside in the arrangement direction of the four rails 152 which areprovided in the two arrangement regions R.

Note that, in a case where the multi-region occupying module M′ isdisposed, with respect to the module M′, the base-side components of themodule driving mechanism 166 described above, such as the module drivingmotor 162, the pinion 164, and so on, and the base-side components ofthe module fixing mechanism, such as the locking rod 216, the lockingrod operating device 210, and so on, are multiple items corresponding tothe multiple arrangement regions R. In this case, with respect to themulti-region occupying module M′, any one of the multiple base-sidecomponents may be used. In addition, with respect to the multi-regionoccupying module M′, the work bed 358 provided in the work transportingdevice 350 described above is also the corresponding work bed of themultiple work beds corresponding to the multiple arrangement regions R.In this case, in terms of the operation of the work transporting device350, in the multi-region occupying module M′, it is desirable to employa work loader which is configured to transfer the process uncompletedwork mounted on the work bed on the most upstream side of the multiplecorresponding work beds 358 to the operation position, and to transferand mount the process completed work from the operation position to thework bed on the most downstream side of two corresponding work beds 358.

In addition, in the system described above, each of the four modules 12has the module width WM which does not protrude from the arrangementregion R; however, at least one of the two modules disposed at both endsin the arrangement direction may protrude to the outside in thearrangement direction. FIG. 31B shows an example of a system configuredin this manner, and in the system shown in FIG. 31B, the module M″ onthe rightmost side protrudes from the arrangement region R. To be moreparticular, the module protrudes from the base B overhanging in thearrangement direction. In this system, although the module M″ has themodule width WM which is greater than the region width WR, it is stillpossible to arrange the modules on the base B having a relatively smallbase width.

In the system described above, the modules 12 are all lathe modules ordrilling machine/milling machine modules; however, in the system relatedto the present disclosure, the modules arranged on the base are notlimited to lathe modules or drilling machine/milling machine modules, itis possible to dispose on the base various types of machine tool moduleson which another type of machine tool such as a machining center, agrinder, a polishing machine, or the like is modularized. Furthermore,in the system according to the present disclosure, in addition to themachine tool module, it is possible to arrange on the base apre-processing machine module in which a pre-processing machine, whichperforms a pre-process on the work before the machining process, ismodularized, or a post-processing machine module, in which apost-processing machine such as an inspection machine that inspects anoperation result of the machining process, or the like, is modularized.Furthermore, it is possible to arrange on the base various workingmachine modules in which a module other than the machine tool module ismodularized, such as a supply operation module on which a supplyoperating machine, which performs a supply operation of supplying thework to the working machine module, is modularized, or a storage machinemodule in which a completed work storage machine, which receives thework on which the process by the machine tool module is completed fromthe module and stocks the work to be unloaded from the system, ismodularized.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10: base, 12: working machine module (machine tool module) (lathemodule) (drilling machine/milling machine), 16: base unit, 20: wheel,22: bed (movable bed), 24: lathe body (working machine body), 26:control panel, 32: spindle, 34: bite (tool), 36: tool holding head, 38:head moving device, 42: spindle casing, 100: tool holding head, 102:straight-type drill (tool), 104: angular-type drill (tool), 106: endmill (tool), 132: spindle, 134: spindle casing, 150: rail pair, 152:rail, 160: rack bar (rack) (module-side component), 162: module drivingmotor (drive source) (base-side component), 164: pinion (base-sidecomponent), 166: module drive mechanism, 170: transfer cart, 190: modulemoving device, 210: locking rod operating device (locking portionoperating device) (module fixing mechanism) (base-side component), 216:locking rod (locking portion) (module fixing mechanism) (base-sidecomponent), 244: recess (locked portion) (module fixing mechanism)(module-side component), 250: coolant tank, 254: operating spacehousing, 260: work loader (work transfer unit), 270: opening, 274:reception tube (reception port), 292: screw conveyor (shaving dischargeunit), 318: reception tube lifting and lowering mechanism (receptacleretracting mechanism), 320: expandable coolant receiver, 350: worktransport device, 352: transport device unit, 354: work invertingdevice, 358: work bed, 360: work bed lifting and lowering device, 364:work bed moving device, W1 to W8: work, WS: operating space, R:arrangement region, B: base, BU: base unit, M: module (single regionoccupying module), M′: module (multi-region occupying module), M″:module, WR: region width, WM: module width, WM′: module width, P:arrangement pitch

The invention claimed is:
 1. A machining system comprising: a singlebase unit; and multiple working machine modules which are mounted on thesingle base unit and are arranged in an arrangement direction, whereineach of the multiple working machine modules includes a machine toolmodule, the machine tool module including a modularized machine tool,and each of the multiple working machine modules is capable of beingdrawn out from the single base unit along a track extending in anintersecting direction that intersects with the arrangement direction,wherein arrangement regions, each of which being a virtual spacedemarcated on the single base unit, are arranged in parallel in thearrangement direction without a space therebetween such that thearrangement regions are adjoining each other, widths of the arrangementregions in the arrangement direction being equal to each other, and onlyone working machine module exists in each arrangement region, wherein alength of an interval in the arrangement direction between centers oftwo adjacent working machine modules each occupying a single arrangementregion is equal to the width of the single arrangement region in thearrangement direction, wherein in the arrangement direction, a locationof an end of an endmost arrangement region and a location of an end ofthe single base unit are the same, wherein the tracks of the single baseunit include rail pairs provided parallel to the arrangement directionand extending in the intersecting direction, and a number of rail pairsprovided on the single base unit corresponding to a number of theworking machine modules mounted on the single base unit, and wherein atleast one of the machine tool modules includes a horizontal spindle typemodule that performs a process on a work using a tool, and thehorizontal spindle type module includes: a spindle, which is arrangedsuch that a longitudinal axis thereof extends in the intersectingdirection, and a chuck, said chuck being attached to the spindle andbeing configured to grip the work such that said work is able to be setin rotation by the spindle.
 2. The machining system according to claim1, wherein the horizontal spindle type module further includes: a toolholding head that holds the tool, and a head moving device that movesthe tool holding head in the intersecting direction and in a verticaldirection, the head moving device being provided above the spindle. 3.The machining system according to claim 2, wherein the horizontalspindle type module further includes: a lathe module that performs theprocess on the work using a bite as the tool while the work is rotatedby the spindle.
 4. The machining system according to claim 2, whereinthe horizontal spindle type module further includes: a tool rotatingdevice on the tool heading head, the tool rotating device for rotatingthe tool around a shaft line of itself, and a drilling machine/millingmachine module that performs fixing of the work in a state in which thework is positioned at any given rotating position through the rotationof the spindle and performs at least one of drilling and milling on thework by at least one of a drill and a mill as the tool.
 5. The machiningsystem according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple workingmachine modules includes: a movable bed which moves along the track, anda working machine body fixed to the movable bed.
 6. The machining systemaccording to claim 5, wherein a module driving mechanism that driveseach working machine module in the intersecting direction is providedfor each of the multiple working machine modules, and module sidecomponents which configure each module driving mechanism are arranged onthe movable bed.
 7. The machining system according to claim 5, wherein amodule fixing mechanism that fixes each working machine module at afixing position set in the intersecting direction is provided for eachof the multiple working machine modules, and module side componentswhich configure each module fixing mechanism are arranged on the movablebed.
 8. The machining system according to claim 5, wherein each of themultiple working machine modules has the movable bed and the movable bedis shared.
 9. The machining system according to claim 1, wherein one ofthe multiple working machine modules includes a control panel whichcontrols the one of the multiple working machine modules itself.
 10. Themachining system according to claim 1, wherein one of the multipleworking machine modules includes an operating space housing surroundingan operating space in which an operation on a work is performed.
 11. Themachining system according to claim 1, wherein one of the multipleworking machine modules includes a multiple machine tool module, themultiple machine tool module including a spindle which rotates a work,and a spindle casing which holds the spindle, the multiple machine toolmodule includes two types of machine tool modules having differentspindle diameters, and external dimensions and shapes of the spindlecasings provided in the two types of machine tool modules, respectively,are of the same module specifications.
 12. The machining systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the machining system includes a worktransporting device which transports the work on a side surface of thesingle base unit in the arrangement direction.
 13. The machining systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the work transporting device includes:multiple work beds which are provided corresponding to the multipleworking machine modules and on which the work is mounted, and a work bedmoving device which moves the multiple work beds in the arrangementdirection.
 14. The machining system according to claim 13, wherein eachof the multiple working machine modules is configured to perform anoperation with respect to the work positioned at an operation position,and each of the multiple working machine modules has a work transferringdevice which transfers the work mounted on one of the multiple work bedsto the operation position, and which also transfers the work, on whichthe operation was performed, to another one of the multiple work bedsfrom the operation position.